EP0980948B1 - Mounting device for a vehicle door handle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the assembly of elements allowing the opening (and closing) vehicle doors, especially vehicles automobiles.

Currently, the assembly of these elements and more generally of all the elements that equip the doors of motor vehicles is long and tedious as a result not only of the large number of parts, but also of the order in which the assembly must be carried out, which limits the number operations likely to be carried out in a specialized workshop, at a location distant, even distant, from the vehicle production line (e.g. EP 0 276 972).

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to create a mounting device which allows the reduction of the number of operations to perform on the vehicle manufacturing line, through the use of a door module pre-equipped in the workshop, including most of the parts constituting the device according to the invention.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for mounting vehicle door opening control for a door comprising, at minus, an exterior door panel adapted to receive an order opening device comprising manual opening means and key opening means, door edge, and equipment module comprising a support plate and items of equipment carried by the support plate and comprising connecting elements of the opening means from the opening control to a lock, mounting device characterized by what it includes an intermediate mounting plate carried by the plate module support between it and the exterior panel, a command opening, the intermediate mounting plate and the control external opening comprising mutual securing means, and means for securing and pre-positioning the connecting elements of means for opening a lock.

Thanks to this structure, the mounting of the opening control outer, or handle, known in the art as C.O.E., is significantly easier, and the cables or rods for connecting the door lock the manual opening and key opening means can be supported by being pre-positioned so as to facilitate the attachment of their end free at external opening control.

• les moyens de solidarisation mutuelle de la plaque intermédiaire de montage et de la commande d'ouverture extérieure comprennent des moyens de clipsage mutuel ;
• la plaque intermédiaire de montage comporte une région périphérique formant un contour fermé pour une lumière destinée à l'insertion d'au moins une partie de la commande d'ouverture extérieure comprenant des moyens de solidarisation mutuelle, tandis qu'au moins une autre partie de la commande d'ouverture extérieure s'étend extérieurement au panneau extérieur de la porte ;
• les moyens de solidarisation mutuelle de la plaque intermédiaire de montage comprennent des languettes prolongeant la région périphérique, en saillie vers l'intérieur de la lumière ;
• le dispositif comporte une vis ayant un corps traversant le chant de porte, ce corps comportant un filetage coopérant avec un taraudage porté par la plaque intermédiaire de montage ;
• la plaque intermédiaire de montage est montée sur la plaque support du module en étant à distance de celle-ci et déplaçable en translation parallèlement à elle-même en restant dans un même plan ;
• les moyens de solidarisation mutuelle de la commande d'ouverture extérieure comprennent des doigts coudés comportant une face adaptée pour venir au moins partiellement en vis-à-vis d'une face des languettes de la plaque intermédiaire de montage qui est tournée vers l'intérieur de la porte, et cette face des doigts coudés est inclinée par rapport à la face en vis-à-vis des languettes, de telle sorte que lorsque ces deux faces sont en contact et la plaque intermédiaire de montage est maintenue dans un même plan et susceptible de se déplacer seulement dans ce plan tandis que la commande d'ouverture extérieure est mise dans l'impossibilité de se déplacer dans la même direction que la plaque intermédiaire de montage, le déplacement de la plaque intermédiaire de montage dans au moins une direction prédéterminée entraíne un mouvement de la partie extérieure au panneau extérieur de porte de la commande d'ouverture extérieure en direction du plan de la plaque intermédiaire de montage et son serrage contre le panneau extérieur ;
• la vis s'étend le long d'un axe central parallèle au plan de la plaque intermédiaire de montage, et la rotation de cette vis entraíne un mouvement de la plaque intermédiaire de montage en direction de la tête de la vis et le serrage de la commande d'ouverture extérieure contre le panneau extérieur de porte ;
• la plaque intermédiaire de montage comporte une patte s'étendant perpendiculairement au plan de la plaque et portant le taraudage coopérant avec le filetage de la vis ;
• les moyens de solidarisation et de pré-positionnement des éléments de liaison des moyens d'ouverture à une serrure comprennent un support d'éléments sous la forme d'une patte de la plaque intermédiaire de montage, s'étendant perpendiculairement au plan de la plaque et comportant des fentes pour recevoir les éléments de liaison ;
• les moyens de liaison des moyens d'ouverture à une serrure comportent un manchon présentant extérieurement une gorge de solidarisation aux moyens de solidarisation et de pré-positionnement;
• la plaque intermédiaire de montage est montée sur la plaque support du module et fixe par rapport à elle ;
• les moyens de solidarisation et de pré-positionnement des éléments de liaison des moyens d'ouverture à une serrure comprennent un support d'éléments séparé de la plaque intermédiaire de montage et muni d'une plaque de base comportant des trous traversants pour recevoir les éléments de liaison des moyens d'ouverture à une serrure, et des organes de fixation amovible pour fixer ces moyens de solidarisation à la commande d'ouverture extérieure ;
• les éléments de liaison des moyens d'ouverture à une serrure comprennent au moins un câble souple; et
• les éléments de liaison des moyens d'ouverture à une serrure comprennent au moins une tige.

The device according to the invention can also have one or more of the following characteristics:

• the means of mutual securing of the intermediate mounting plate and of the external opening control comprise means of mutual clipping;
• the intermediate mounting plate has a peripheral region forming a closed contour for a lumen intended for the insertion of at least a part of the exterior opening control comprising mutual securing means, while at least another part of the exterior opening control extends externally to the exterior panel of the door;
• the means of mutual securing of the intermediate mounting plate comprise tabs extending the peripheral region, projecting towards the inside of the lumen;
• the device comprises a screw having a body passing through the edge of the door, this body comprising a thread cooperating with a thread carried by the intermediate mounting plate;
• the intermediate mounting plate is mounted on the module support plate while being at a distance therefrom and movable in translation parallel to itself while remaining in the same plane;
• the means of mutual securing of the exterior opening control comprise bent fingers having a face adapted to come at least partially opposite one face of the tongues of the intermediate mounting plate which is turned inward of the door, and this face of the bent fingers is inclined with respect to the face opposite the tongues, so that when these two faces are in contact and the intermediate mounting plate is held in the same plane and capable of moving only in this plane while the external opening control is made impossible to move in the same direction as the intermediate mounting plate, the movement of the intermediate mounting plate in at least one predetermined direction causes movement from the outside to the outside door panel of the outside opening control towards the plane of the interm plate mounting diary and clamping against the outer panel;
• the screw extends along a central axis parallel to the plane of the intermediate mounting plate, and the rotation of this screw causes movement of the intermediate mounting plate towards the head of the screw and the tightening of the exterior opening control against the exterior door panel;
• the intermediate mounting plate has a tab extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate and carrying the thread cooperating with the thread of the screw;
• the means for securing and pre-positioning the connecting elements of the means for opening to a lock comprise an element support in the form of a tab of the intermediate mounting plate, extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate and having slots for receiving the connecting elements;
• the means for connecting the opening means to a lock comprise a sleeve having an external groove for securing to the securing and pre-positioning means;
• the intermediate mounting plate is mounted on the module support plate and fixed relative to it;
• the means for securing and pre-positioning the connecting elements of the means for opening a lock comprise an element support separate from the intermediate mounting plate and provided with a base plate having through holes for receiving the elements connecting the opening means to a lock, and removable fixing members for fixing these securing means to the external opening control;
• the connecting elements of the means for opening to a lock comprise at least one flexible cable; and
• the connecting elements of the means for opening a lock comprise at least one rod.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une partie d'une forme de réalisation d'un dispositif selon l'invention, certaines pièces étant montrées dans une disposition « éclatée »,
• la figure 2 est une section schématique par un plan horizontal (perpendiculaire et longitudinal par rapport à la plaque de montage) montrant la structure générale du dispositif illustré par la figure 1, et
• la figure 3 est une section schématique par un plan également horizontal, selon la ligne III - III de la figure 1, d'un détail du montage d'éléments entrant dans la constitution de la forme de réalisation de cette figure 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows of embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of an embodiment of a device according to the invention, certain parts being shown in an “exploded” arrangement,
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section through a horizontal plane (perpendicular and longitudinal with respect to the mounting plate) showing the general structure of the device illustrated in FIG. 1, and
• FIG. 3 is a schematic section through a plane also horizontal, along the line III - III of FIG. 1, of a detail of the mounting of elements entering into the constitution of the embodiment of this FIG. 1.

The door opening control mounting device vehicle whose embodiment is illustrated by the drawings is intended to equip a door with an exterior panel 1 and a edge 2 generally made up of sheets, part of which is shown on the FIGS.

The outer panel 1 has a light in which is partially inserted an external door opening command 3 comprising manual opening means, for example with lever or push button, and key opening means (mechanical or other) not shown in the drawings; the door 3 exterior opening control includes a peripheral strip 31 intended to be applied externally against panel 1 and covering the outer edge of the light for purposes aesthetic.

The door also has a non-equipment module depicted comprising a support plate and pieces of equipment carried by this support plate, in particular, in general, glass slides, a manual or / and electric window regulator, an opening handle, speakers, door lock, etc.

According to the invention, the mounting device comprises, in addition to the external opening control 3, an intermediate mounting plate 4 intended to facilitate the installation, the final fixing and the connection of the exterior opening control 3.

This intermediate mounting plate 4 is carried by the plate module support, and arranged between it and the outer panel 1.

Intermediate mounting plate 4 and control opening aperture 3 each comprise securing means mutual 32, 41 by clipping or / and tightening as we will see more precisely in the following.

The device also includes connecting elements 5 for connect the opening means of the external opening control, here the manual opening means and key opening means, with lock (not shown), these connecting elements 5 can be for example cable flexible or linkage (connecting rods). In order to secure and pre-position these elements 5 relative to the intermediate plate 4, the latter is more provided with appropriate means, here a support in the form of a tab 42 in one piece with the intermediate mounting plate 4, extending perpendicularly in the plane of the plate and having slots for passage connecting elements 5.

The intermediate mounting plate 4 has a general shape rectangular and is arranged so that its large median is substantially horizontal when the vehicle rests on rough ground horizontal; it has a light 43 also in shape general rectangular opposite the light of the outer panel 1, for inserting the same parts of the opening control outer 3, and the peripheral region 44 of the plate constitutes an outline closed for this light. Means of mutual solidarity 41 of the intermediate plate 4 are formed by tongues extending the region device of the plate inside the outline of general shape rectangular of light 43 and so protruding from the region device 44, inward. These tongues 41 are carried by the two long sides of the peripheral region 44 of the plate 4; they present here themselves a rectangular shape, face each other in pairs, and their faces are at least approximately flat and parallel.

Besides the fact that it is carried by the module support plate, the intermediate plate 4 is secured to the door by a screw 6 whose body crosses edge 2 thereof and has a thread cooperating with a internal thread carried by the intermediate plate 4, one vertical side of the region peripheral 44 has its outer edge extended by a tab 45 extending perpendicular to the general plane of the plate 4. It is this tab 45 which carries the thread for the thread of the screw 6, this thread can be machined directly into a hole in the tab if the thickness of the tab is sufficient, or in a part 46 attached and drilled for this purpose opposite such a hole if the leg 45 is too thin.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the plate mounting intermediate 4 is mounted on the module support plate distance from it and so as to be movable in translation parallel to itself by staying in the same plane, for example at by means of slides provided on the support plate.

The exterior opening control 3 comprises as mutual securing means 32, in addition to possible clipping means already mentioned, clamping means adapted to cooperate with one or more several tabs 41 of the intermediate plate. These clamping means consist of bent L-shaped fingers carried by one face of the exterior opening control 3 facing the interior of the door and arranged so as to pass through the lights of the door panel 1 and the intermediate mounting plate 4. These L-shaped fingers 32 have a branch of which the end opposite the elbow connects to the face of the control outside opening 3 facing the inside of the door, and which is perpendicular to this face; the other branch of the finger in L 32 has a face adapted to come at least partially in front of a face of a tongue 41 of the intermediate mounting plate 4 which faces the interior of the door, and this face of the finger 32, substantially planar, is inclined relative to the face opposite the tongue 41 and to that of the control of external opening, approaching this face of the control outside opening towards the tapped tab 45 of the intermediate plate, the direction of greatest inclination being in a plane perpendicular to those of the intermediate plate 4 and the threaded tab 45; thus, when the faces partially facing the fingers in L 32 of the external opening control 3 and tabs 41 of the plate mounting intermediate 4 are in contact, while the latter is maintained in the same plane as a result of its attachment to the plate support and the exterior opening control is placed in the impossibility of moving otherwise than away or approximation of the intermediate plate as a result for example of a contact friction with the outer door panel, displacement of the plate intermediate 4 in a direction X (FIG. 3) in which the inclined face of the finger in L 32 converges towards the face of the exterior opening control which the door causes movement of this face of the opening control outside 3 towards the plane of the intermediate mounting plate 4 (direction Y) and tightening it against the outer panel 1.

In order to cause the displacement of the intermediate plate of mounting 4 in its own plane, the screw 6 extends along a central axis horizontal and parallel to the plane of this plate 4, and thus a simple rotation of the screw whose head is in abutment against edge 2 of the door and whose thread is engaged in the thread of the lug 45, causes the movement of the intermediate mounting plate 4 to edge 2 and tightening of the exterior opening control 3 against the exterior door panel 1.

As we have seen elsewhere, the intermediate plate 4 is provided of a perpendicular tab 42 comprising slots for the passage of connecting elements 5. The aim being to secure these connecting elements 5 of so that they are pre-positioned so that they can be fixed so convenient by manual opening and by key opening, the connecting elements 5 comprise an outer sleeve 51 having a diameter outside or a width, depending on the shape of the cross section of the sleeve, greater than the width of the corresponding slot in the tab, having a groove 52 inserted in the slot of the tab 42. Thus, the connecting elements 5 are in a fixed position relative to the intermediate mounting plate 4 and follow it in its movement, to provoke the attachment of the region of their free end 53 in a notch of the manual opening means and of the key opening means not shown, respectively. In order to allow a adjustment of the length of the connecting elements 5 protruding above the leg 42, it is possible to provide mobility and blocking of the sleeves 51 along the cables or rods of the connecting elements, or in relation to the tab 42 of the intermediate plate.

Installation of the external opening control 3 by means of of this device is simple, since the intermediate mounting plate 4 being secured to a suitable predetermined location on the support plate of the equipment module so as to remain movable in translation towards the edge 2 of the door, the sleeves 51 of the connecting elements being inserted in the slots, and the module support plate being in place, the external opening control at the location assigned to it by the panel outside 1, and insert your fingers bent in L 32 in the light of the outer panel 1 then in that of the intermediate mounting plate 4, by placing them laterally at the tabs 41 of the latter, we apply the exterior opening control against the exterior panel 1 at the clipping if necessary and translating it so that the inclined faces of the L-shaped fingers 32 come partially opposite the tongues 41, we introduces the body of the screw into edge 2 of the door and into the threaded hole of the intermediate mounting plate 4, and the screw is tightened, which causes the approximation of the intermediate plate 4 of the edge 2 of the door, the tightening of the exterior opening control against the door panel 1, and the attachment of the ends 53 of the connecting elements.

It is also possible to provide a sealing by means for example a seal interposed between the exterior opening control 3 and door panel 1.

Alternatively (not shown in the drawings), the plate mounting intermediate is fixed mounted, for example glued, on the plate support for the equipment module, and the means for pre-positioning the connecting elements 5 of the means for opening a lock comprise a separate support with base plate with through holes to receive the connecting elements 5; removable fasteners are provided for fixing the support to the external opening control, for example by clipping; the support can thus for example be produced in the form of a case, one wall of which can be folded so as to constitute one or more clips or hooking tabs. Tightening of the opening control exterior is then produced by means of a screw also inserted in the door song 2.

However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and others may be provided without departing from its scope.

Claims (15)

1. Mounting device to control the opening of a vehicle door for a door comprising at least one external door panel (1) suitable to receive an external opening control (3) comprising manual opening means and key opening means, a door edge (2), and an intermediate mounting plate (4), said intermediate mounting plate (4) and said external opening control (3) comprising mutual interlocking means (41, 32), characterised in that it comprises a fitting module comprising a support plate and fitting elements carried by the support plate, and comprising means (5) for connecting the opening means of the opening control (3) to a lock, the said intermediate mounting plate (4) being carried by the support plate of the module between the latter and the external panel (1), the intermediate mounting plate (4) and the external opening control (3) comprising means (42) for interlocking and pre-positioning the connecting elements (5) of the opening means to a lock.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the mutual interlocking means of the intermediate mounting plate (4) and the external opening control (3) comprise mutual clipping means.
3. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate mounting plate (4) comprises a peripheral area (44) forming a closed contour for a light (43) intended for the fitting of a least one part of the external opening control (3) comprising mutual interlocking means (32), while at least one other part of the external opening control (3) extends outwardly to the external panel (1) of the door.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the mutual interlocking means (41) of the intermediate mounting plate (4) comprise tabs which extend the peripheral area (44), projecting towards the inside of the light (43).
5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a screw (6) with a body that traverses the edge (2) of the door, this body comprising a thread co-operating with a threaded hole carried by the intermediate mounting plate (4).
6. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate mounting plate (4) is mounted on the support plate of the module which is separate from the latter and displaceable in translation parallel to itself while remaining in the same plane.
7. Device according to claim 4, characterised in that the mutual interlocking means (32) of the external opening control (3) comprise bent fingers forming a face to come at least partially opposite a face of the tabs (41) of the intermediate mounting plate (4) which is facing the inside of the door, and this face of the bent fingers is inclined relative to the face opposite the tabs in such a way that when these two faces are in contact and the intermediate mounting plate (4) is maintained in its own plane and may only be displaced in this plane while the external opening control (3) is unable to be displaced in the same direction as the intermediate mounting plate, the displacement of the intermediate mounting plate (4), in the direction in which the inclined face of the L-shaped finger (32) converges towards the face of the external opening control which supports it, causes a movement of the external part of the external door panel (1) of the external opening control (3) in the direction of the plane of the intermediate mounting plate (4) and its locking against the external panel (1).
8. Device according to claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the screw (6) extends along a central axle parallel to the plane of the intermediate mounting plate (4), and the rotation of this screw causes the intermediate mounting plate to move in the direction of the head of the screw and the locking of the external opening control (3) against the external door panel (1).
9. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that the intermediate mounting plate (4) comprises a lug (45) extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate and carrying the threaded hole co-operating with the thread of the screw (6).
10. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (42) for interlocking and pre-positioning the connecting elements (5) of the opening means to a lock comprise a support for the elements in the form of a lug on the intermediate mounting plate (4), extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate (4) and comprising slots to receive the connecting elements (5).
11. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (5) for connecting the opening means to a lock comprise a sleeve (51) having a groove (52) on the outside to connect to the interlocking and pre-positioning means (42).
12. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the intermediate mounting plate (4) is mounted on the support plate of the module and fixed relative to it.
13. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for interlocking and pre-positioning the connection means of the opening means to a lock comprise a support for the elements which is separate from the intermediate support plate and is provided with a base plate carrying traversing holes to receive the elements (5) for connecting the opening means to a lock, and detachable fixing members to fix these interlocking means to the external opening control.
14. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (5) for connecting the opening means to a lock comprise at least one flexible cable.
15. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (5) for connecting the opening means to a lock comprise at least one rod.

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