EP0691448A1 - Door hinge having stop notches, particularly in an automotive vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle door hinge comprises a base hinge (1) and a door hinge (3) which are pivoted along an axis (5'). A retaining catch mechanism (10) has a frame (11) connected to rotate with the base hinge. A pivoting lever (20), mounted on the frame and pivoting about the axis, has a rotating roller (31) at one end. A movable cam (40) with a catch is supported by a spring against the roller so that the catch can engage on the roller and retain it. The lever is connected to rotate with the door hinge by a coupling (70) which has non-circular support surfaces. The coupling, comprising an axial element (21) fixed to rotate with the lever, has two external opposite surfaces either side the pivoting axis. A lock (71) fixed to the door hinge has two branches with internal surfaces and clamps which hold together the two branches in order to maintain the external surfaces pressed against the interior surfaces. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a door hinge with retaining catch, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising a first element known as a foot knuckle and a second element known as a door knuckle, which are hinged to each other along an axis of pivoting, and a notch retaining mechanism, said retaining mechanism comprising a frame linked in rotation to the hinge pin, a pivoting lever mounted on the frame so as to pivot about said axis and provided with a rotating roller at one end of the lever , and a movable cam provided with at least one notch and urged by elastic means to be pressed against said roller so that the notch can engage on the roller to retain it, the lever being linked in rotation to the knuckle movable by interlocking coupling means which include non-circular bearing surfaces.

One such hinge is described in publication WO 91/19876. In the known retaining mechanism, the coupling of the lever to the door knuckle is obtained by fitting a rear end of this lever provided with non-circular surfaces in a corresponding housing provided in said knuckle, around the pivot axis of the hinge. This type of interlocking coupling tends to take up play as and when it is used, since no locking and tightening member is provided for said coupling. Each time the door is opened and closed, the door knuckle transmits its rotational movement to the lever by contact at non-circular surfaces. These surfaces undergo a matting phenomenon. When the mechanism is new and the clearance reduced to the minimum mounting clearance, the rotational forces are distributed evenly over the surfaces of the coupling. During many uses, the clearance increases and the forces are centralized on the edges of said surfaces, causing premature wear of the coupling. This This has the effect of further increasing the clearance as well as the noise level of the retaining mechanism. Furthermore, in this known mechanism, the elastic means cooperating with the cam include a pair of springs which are also a source of noise pollution.

The present invention aims to improve a hinge of the aforementioned kind by avoiding the drawbacks mentioned above and in particular by providing a retaining mechanism which comprises a rigid coupling without play having a long service life and silent elastic means and offering a greater flexibility to said mechanism.

This object is achieved by a hinge as defined in the preamble and characterized in that said coupling means comprise an axial element, integral in rotation with the lever and having two opposite external surfaces on either side of the pivot axis , and a locking member, which is fixed to the door knuckle and has two branches provided with respective interior surfaces and a clamping means tending to bring the branches together to keep said exterior surfaces pressed against said interior surfaces.

This embodiment has the advantage of eliminating the play between the non-circular surfaces of the coupling.

In a preferred embodiment, the branches of the locking member are the branches of a first U-shaped stirrup, the base of which is fixed to the door knuckle.

Said interior surfaces can be formed by intermediate plates of hard material, interposed between the branches of the first stirrup and said exterior surfaces of the axial element.

In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate plates are formed by the branches of a second U-shaped stirrup, which is fitted into the first stirrup.

The clamping means advantageously comprises at least one bolt associated with at least one locking nut and arranged to connect the two branches of the two stirrups together, these branches comprising at least one through bore intended to receive said bolt.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the axial element comprises a first end provided with two parallel flats forming said exterior surfaces, and a second end provided with two parallel flats and arranged to be housed in a corresponding recess provided in said lever.

The axial element may include a circular central part arranged to be guided in rotation in a corresponding bore provided in the frame of the mechanism.

The surface condition of the second stirrup advantageously has a high hardness obtained in particular by a specific heat treatment.

In the preferred embodiment, the elastic means comprise a block made of elastomer having two parallel faces, the first being integral with the frame and the second being integral with the cam.

Preferably, the second face of the block is linked in rotation to the cam by means of a plate. This plate may include pins arranged to penetrate the elastomer block.

According to an alternative embodiment, the upper plate and the plate have protruding parts in the direction of said block and offset with respect to each other. This block then includes radial recesses arranged to receive said projecting parts. These projecting parts preferably have a height substantially equal to the thickness of said block.

The use of an elastomer block in place of the traditionally used springs considerably reduces the noise level of the retaining mechanism, eliminating any mechanical noise induced by the operation of said springs. It also generates greater flexibility and smoothness in the operation of the door. In addition, it allows to obtain a higher resistant torque. Consequently, for the same resistant torque, the size and the weight of such a retaining mechanism are reduced compared to a spring solution.

• la figure 1 représente une vue éclatée d'une charnière selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue d'ensemble en perspective d'une telle charnière,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de la figure 3 selon la ligne IV-IV,
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus de la charnière, porte fermée,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 4, porte ouverte, et
• la figure 7 illustre une variante de réalisation des moyens élastiques .

The present invention and its advantages will appear more clearly in the following description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents an exploded view of a hinge according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of such a hinge,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3 along the line IV-IV,
• FIG. 5 is a top view of the hinge, with the door closed,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, door open, and
• FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the means elastic.

With reference to the figures, the door hinge according to the invention comprises in known manner a foot knuckle 1 fixed to the vehicle body by at least one screw (not shown) through a bore 2 and a door knuckle 3 fixed to the door by at least one screw (not shown) through a bore 4. These knuckles 1, 3 are assembled by a hinge screw 5 passing through corresponding coaxial tubular bores 6, 7 and screwed into the foot knuckle 1. The pivot axis of the hinge corresponds to the axis 5 'of the screw 5. The door knuckle 3 may comprise in its bore 7 a guide ring 8 held axially for example between a shoulder 8' and a circlip 8 ''. This hinge has a retaining mechanism 10 which can be placed either above or below it. For a door with two hinges, a single mechanism 10 is sufficient, the latter being able to be provided either on the upper hinge or on the lower hinge.

The retaining mechanism 10 comprises a rigid frame 11 composed of two parallel plates, an upper plate 12 and a lower plate 13, linked by spacers 14. Three elements are rotatably mounted on the frame 11, with separate axes of rotation but parallel to each other. It is first of all a pivoting lever 20 provided with an axial element 21 which extends beyond the bottom plate 13, where it has two opposite flats 22 allowing it to be nested in a non-rotatable manner in a coupling 70 integral with the door knuckle 3. The pivot axis 21 'of the lever 20 coincides with the axis of the hinge 5'. Two opposite flats 24 are also provided at the end of the axial element 21 fitted into a corresponding opening 25 of the lever 20. To avoid friction of the lever 20 on the lower plate 13, a washer 23 is interposed between these two parts. The element 21 also extends beyond the lever 20 to the upper plate 12 in which a lug 26 provided at its end is engaged in a corresponding bore 27 provided in this plate, this element 21 thus forming an additional spacer. The axial element 21 is guided in rotation in its circular central part 28 passing through a bore 29 provided in the lower plate 13. The free end 30 of the lever 20 carries a roller 31 rotating around an axis 32.

The second movable element of the mechanism is a cam 40 constituted by a lever, one end of which is mounted in an oscillating fashion around a shaft 41, this shaft also being used as a spacer between the two plates 12 and 13. The side of the cam 40 which is pressed against the roller 31 has a cam profile successively comprising a clearance section 42, a first curved notch 43, a projection 44 and a second curved notch 45.

The third movable element is a plate 50 which rotates around an axis 51 and serves as a transmission element between the elastic means 60 and the cam 40. The cam is linked to this plate 50 by a tenon 46 eccentric with respect to the 'axis of rotation 51 and engaged in a corresponding bore provided in this plate. The elastic means 60 comprise a block 61 made of elastomer and designed to work in torsion around the axis 51 parallel to said pivot axis 21 '. It has a thickness defined as a function of the resistant torque to be supplied and a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the plate 50. The upper 62 and lower 63 faces of this block are rigidly linked respectively to the upper plate 12 of the frame 11 and to the plate 50 at using, for example, a permanent adhesive. To improve this block / plate connection, this plate 50 is provided with several pins 52 distributed symmetrically.

The coupling 70 for transmitting the rotational movement of a vehicle door to the lever 20, comprises a first U-shaped bracket 71 whose base is rigidly fixed to the door knuckle 3, for example by welding, and a second U-shaped stirrup 72 arranged to receive between its lateral wings the flats 22 of the axial element 21 integral in rotation with said lever 20. This second stirrup 72 has an outer periphery substantially equal to the inner periphery of said first stirrup 71 so as to be able to fit into the wings of said first stirrup 71. These stirrups are arranged in the same direction. Their lateral wings have a through bore 71 ', 72' located near their ends. When the two stirrups are assembled, these bores are aligned so as to receive a tightening bolt 73, blocked by a nut 74. The first stirrup 71 is preferably made of mild steel to be easily weldable on the door knuckle 3. The second stirrup 72 is preferably made of steel and hardened on the surface by an appropriate heat treatment, for example carbonization. This stirrup 72 can then effectively resist any matting generated by the axial element 21 on the inner surface of its wings.

Such a retaining mechanism 10 is advantageously housed in a housing 80 closed in a sealed manner by a cover 81, thus protecting it from the weather and guaranteeing it lubrication for life. Only the coupling 70 remains visible between the hinge 1, 3, 5 and the housing 80. An O-ring 29 'provided in the bore 29 makes it possible to seal this housing 80 at the level of the axial element 21 .

Figure 4 illustrates, in top view, the retaining mechanism in a position corresponding to the closed position of a vehicle door. The roller 31 of the lever 20 is in contact with the free end of the cam 40. The latter is permanently urged towards the roller 31, around its axis 41, by a force applied at point 46 generated by the elastomer block mounted or not pre-stressed in the direction of torsion. During the opening phase of the door, the lever 20 pivots about its axis 21 ', the roller 31 pushes the cam by rolling on the profile 42 until it engages in the notch 45 which defines a intermediate door open position. Under the effect of the rotational movement of the cam, the elastomer block exerts a counter pressure on the cam which corresponds to the retaining force maintaining the notch 45 on the roller 31. By continuing to open the door, that is to say by applying a force greater than the retaining force, the roller 31 pushes the cam 40 by rolling on the projection 44 until the roller engages in the notch 43 which defines a fully open position of said door. During the closing phase of this door, the process is reversed.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate, in top view, the coupling 70 in two positions corresponding to a closed and fully open vehicle door. This coupling is shown in broken lines under the sealed housing 80 comprising said retaining mechanism 10. The bracket 71 being rigidly fixed on the door knuckle 3, the latter pivots around the axis of the hinge 5 'by the same amplitude. This stirrup 71 carries with it the stirrup 72 and consequently the axial element 21 which rotates on itself by an angular displacement corresponding to the opening angle of the door. The transmission of the rotational movement of the stirrups 71, 72 to the axial element 21 is instantaneous and without play, thanks to the clamping member 73, 74 as well as to the dimensional stability of said stirrup 72.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to those skilled in the art. The stirrup 72 could for example be replaced by two hardened steel plates placed between the flats 22 of the axial element 21 and the wings of the stirrup 71. Alternatively, said flats 22 could be hardened and mounted directly in the caliper 71.

According to an alternative embodiment of the elastic means 90, illustrated in FIG. 7, the elastomer block 91 is arranged to work in compression. In this case, the fixed upper plate 92 and the plate 93 have projecting parts 94 and 95 respectively, turned in the direction of said block 91 and offset with respect to each other. The elastomer block 91 has recesses radials 96, 97 arranged in correspondence with said projecting parts 94, 95 and arranged to receive them. The upper 91a and lower 91b faces of this block 91 are secured respectively to the upper plate 92 and to the plate 93, for example by means of a permanent adhesive. The protrusions 94, 95 preferably have a height substantially equal to the thickness of said block 91. They can be produced by molding, stamping or folding after perforation. During the operation of the retaining mechanism, when the plate 93 is driven in rotation by the cam 40, as described above, its projecting parts 95 exert pressure on the sides of the recesses 97 generating a rotational cut. This torque is canceled out by a resisting torque generated by a back pressure exerted on the sides of the recesses 96 by the protrusions 94 of the upper plate 92. The sectors of the block 91 comprised between the protrusions 94, 95 then work in compression .

Claims (14)

Door hinge with retaining catch, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising a first element called hinge pin (1) and a second element called hinge pin (3), which are hinged to each other along an axis pivot (5 '), and a notch retaining mechanism (10), said retaining mechanism comprising a frame (11) linked in rotation to the hinge pin (1), a pivoting lever (20) mounted on the frame pivotally about said axis (5 ') and provided with at least one rotary roller (31) at one end of the lever, and a movable cam (40) provided with at least one notch (43, 45) and urged by elastic means (60) for being pressed against said roller (31) so that the notch can engage on the roller to retain it, the lever (20) being linked in rotation to the door knuckle (3) by interlocking coupling means (70) which have non-circular bearing surfaces, characterized in that said coupling means (70) comprise an axial element (21), integral in rotation with the lever (20) and having two external surfaces (22) opposite on either side of the pivot axis (5 '), and a blocking member (71), which is fixed to the door knuckle (3) and has two branches provided with respective interior surfaces and a clamping means (73, 74) tending to bring the branches together to keep said exterior surfaces pressed against said interior surfaces . Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the branches of the locking member are the branches of a first U-shaped bracket (71) whose base is fixed to the door knuckle (3). Hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that said interior surfaces are formed by intermediate plates of hard material, interposed between the arms of the first stirrup (71) and said exterior surfaces (22) of the element axial (21). Hinge according to claim 3, characterized in that the intermediate plates are formed by the branches of a second U-shaped stirrup (72), which is fitted into the first stirrup (71). Hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamping means comprises at least one bolt (73) associated with at least one locking nut (74) and arranged to connect the two arms of the two brackets (71, 72) , these branches comprising at least one through bore (71 ′, 72 ′) intended to receive said bolt (73). Hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that the axial element (21) has a first end provided with two parallel flats (22) forming said outer surfaces, and a second end provided with two parallel flats (24) and arranged to be lodge in a corresponding recess (25) provided in said lever (20). Hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that the axial element (21) comprises a circular central part (28) arranged to be guided in rotation in a corresponding bore (29) provided in the frame (11) of the mechanism. Hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that the surface condition of the second stirrup (72) has a very high hardness obtained in particular by a specific heat treatment. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic means (60, 90) comprise a block (61, 91) made of elastomer having two parallel faces (62, 63, 91a, 91b), the first being integral with the plate upper (12, 92) belonging to the frame (11) and the second being integral in rotation with the pivoting cam (40). Hinge according to claim 9, characterized in that the second face (63, 91b) of the block (61, 91) is linked in rotation to the cam (40) via a plate (50, 93). Hinge according to claim 10, characterized in that the plate (50) has pins (52) arranged to penetrate the elastomer block (61). Hinge according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper plate (92) and the plate (93) have projecting parts (94, 95) in the direction of said block (91) and offset with respect to each other. Hinge according to claim 12, characterized in that the block (91) has radial recesses (96, 97) arranged to receive said projecting parts (94, 95). Hinge according to claim 12, characterized in that the projecting parts (94, 95) have a height substantially equal to the thickness of said block (91).

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