EP1580358A1 - Protection for driving device for latch actuating via a lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a connection unit (40) with ends coupled respectively in rotation with a cylinder of a bolt and with a movable part of a lock. A rigid protection tube (50) rotates axially around a body of the connection unit. The tube has an inner wall with projecting guiding parts which co-operate with a cylindrical part that is maintained axially along the length of the connection unit. An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle including a door locking system having a driving device.

Description

The present invention relates to a training device which is intended to when operating a lock from a lock.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous application, but not exclusive, in the field of closures of opening of vehicles automobiles.

In a motor vehicle door, the lock and the lock that is are generally located at a distance from each other, and above all at different heights. For the lock to be able to order the implementation of the lock despite this positioning relative particular, it is known to use a connecting drive device mechanically the movable portion of said lock to that of said lock.

The training device is generally in the form of a rotary connection element, one end of which is coupled with a part mobile in axial rotation of the lock via a type connection gimbal. The other end of the connecting element is also coupled in rotation, always by cardan link, but this time with a moving part in axial rotation of the lock. Commonly, moving parts in concerned are constituted respectively by the cylinder of the lock and by the external control lever of the lock.

This type of arrangement, however, has the disadvantage of being extremely vulnerable in terms of inviolability. The link element proves indeed relatively accessible from the outside, if at first remove the rubber part which seals between the glass and the outer sheet metal panel of the door, and if in a second time we as far as possible dismisses said panel from said window, for example by using an inflatable balloon. It is not difficult to clear a space enough to allow the insertion of a pliers manifold for the purpose of tighten the connecting element in order to force this rotation latest. The cardan is certainly retained by the lock, but by applying a sufficiently large enough, it is possible to break at least one component of the transmission chain rotation, that is to say cause a break inside the lock and / or at the level of the element link and / or at the interface of these two organs. If a couple continues then to be applied to it via the clamp, the connecting element will be driven by rotation effectively. Since the link element is otherwise always coupled with the control lever of the lock, its setting rotation will therefore cause the unlocking of said lock. All that remains is to pull the handle and the door opens.

Also the technical problem to be solved, by the object of the present invention, is to propose a training device intended for the actuation of a lock from a lock, in particular for a closure system opening of a motor vehicle, comprising a connecting element the ends are respectively capable of being coupled in rotation with a portion mounted in axial rotation of the latch on the one hand, and with a portion mounted in axial rotation of the lock on the other hand, training device that would avoid the problems of the state of the technique notably offering a level of inviolability substantially improved.

The solution to the technical problem consists, according to the present invention, in that the drive device further comprises a tube of rigid protection which is mounted free in axial rotation around the body of the connecting element.

The fact that the protective tube is rotatably mounted means that it is not integral in axial rotation of the connecting element. Setting axial rotation of the protective tube can not therefore lead to the axial rotation of the connecting element, which in the state prohibits any possibility of applying a torque to said link element via said protection tube. This feature helps preserve the integrity of the transmission chain of the latch rotation movement to the connecting element.

The fact that the protective tube extend around the body of the element of link means that the portion of the link element, which is theoretically accessible in the systems of the prior art, here is covered substantially entirely by said protective tube. The body of the connecting element designates indeed all the central part extending between the two interfaces that are intended to be coupled in rotation with respectively the lock and the lock, which as such are intended to be incorporated within said lock and said lock, and which by Consequently, they are almost inaccessible.

Thanks to its intrinsic rigidity, the protection tube is able to resist the deformation efforts likely to be applied to it, especially during an attempt to crush using a clamp. In this regard, it is understood that the intrinsic rigidity of the protective tube may in particular from the nature of the component material and / or its structure and / or its dimensioning.

In the context of the invention, the fact that the protective tube is rigid therefore means that it is substantially indeformable vis-à-vis at least crushing forces that are likely to be generated by putting in Manually works a conventional clamping tool.

The ideal is of course that the protection tube does not deform the everything, so as to preserve its freedom in axial rotation with respect to the connecting element. There is then no possibility to rotate axially the connecting element from the outside, which reinforces the inviolability of the closing system.

However, a comparable result can be obtained if the protective tube is a little deformed. Indeed, when the crash is not too important, tightening between the protection tube and the connecting element insufficient to be able to transmit a couple high enough to break a lock components. We have a couple transmittable by the tube protection, but it is much lower than the torque needed to break the chain of transmission of the rotational movement between the lock and the connecting element.

It should be noted that the axial retention of the protection tube around the element linkage can be achieved by any known technique of the state of the technique.

The invention as thus defined has the advantage of isolating from the outside the portion of the link element that is not integrated in the lock, or integrated in the lock, and which is theoretically accessible in closure systems of the prior art. The protection tube forms a kind of mobile interface that prevents the direct grasping of the element of connection, and which avoids that a couple can be applied axially to this last in order to force the closure system to which the device of training is associated.

The present invention also relates to the characteristics which will emerge from the description which will follow, and which will have to be considered in isolation or in all their technical combinations possible.

This description given as a non-limiting example, will do better understand how the invention can be realized, with reference to attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle door automobile, which has a locking system with a lock and a lock coupled via a drive device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 specifically illustrates the drive device of FIG. 1, which is otherwise in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows in detail the connecting element forming an integral part of drive device of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows in perspective the protective tube of the device Figure 2, with in the foreground its end intended to be positioned next to the lock.

FIG. 5 illustrates in perspective the drive device of FIG. 2, with in the foreground its end intended to be coupled to the lock.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, but with the foreground the end of the protective tube which is intended to be positioned in look at the lock.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the first plan the end of the training device that is intended to be coupled at the lock.

FIG. 8 shows a training device according to a second mode embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a skinned showing the internal structure of the device of Figure 8.

For the sake of clarity, the same elements have been designated by identical references. Similarly, only the essential elements for the understanding of the invention have been represented, and this without respect for scale and schematically.

FIG. 1 illustrates a door 100 of a motor vehicle which is conventionally equipped with a closure system 1 composed essentially a lock 10 and a lock 20. Concretely, the lock 10 is implanted through an outer panel 101 of the door 100 by through a holding module 102 which further supports a opening handle 103. The assembly is arranged in such a way that the head 11 of the lock 10 opens on the outside. The lock 20 is in turn arranged further inside the door 100, beyond a window 104 which extends here in the background.

On this first representation, we note that the lock 10 and the lock 20 are arranged at a distance from one another, and at heights different. For the lock 10 can however fulfill its function principal, that is to say, to condemn and / or unlock the lock 20, the closure system 1 is further provided with a drive device 30 mechanically connecting a movable portion of said latch 10 to a portion mobile of said lock 20.

In this particular embodiment, given only for for example, the drive device 30 is rotatably coupled with respectively the barrel 12 of the lock 10 and a control lever 21 of the lock 20. It should be noted that the control lever 21 in question here has a swallowing cone allowing it to cooperate in drive with the drive device 30 despite the shift of the axis of the lock 10 relative to the axis of the lock 20. It is observed also the lock 20 was only partially represented here for simple reasons for clarity.

As can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, the device 30 is provided with a connecting element 40 whose ends are respectively able to be coupled in rotation by links of cardan type with a portion mounted for axial rotation of the latch 10, namely the barrel 12, and with a portion mounted for axial rotation of the lock 20, in this case the control lever 21.

According to the object of the present invention, the training device 30 further comprises a rigid protective tube 50 which is freely mounted in axial rotation around the body of the connecting element 40.

It should be noted that the training device 30, which is visible in FIGS. at 7, corresponds to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

According to a feature of this preferred embodiment, the inner wall 51 of the protection tube 50 comprises at least three guiding elements protrusions 52 (Figure 4) which are able to cooperate by sliding (FIG. 5) with a cylindrical portion 41 arranged axially along the connecting element 40 (Figure 3).

This characteristic makes it possible to guide the axial rotation of the tube radially 50 relative to the connecting element 40. At least three guiding points are necessary to ensure this function being the tubular form of the surfaces concerned, as well as the nature of the relatively punctual contacts. Regarding more particularly the last point, the aim is to limit as much as possible the friction in order to minimize the transmissible torque between the protection 50 and the connecting element 40.

By adopting a height very slightly greater than the interval between the inner wall 51 of the protection tube 50 and the surface 42 of the part cylindrical 41 of the connecting element 40, and a profile for the case If there is a certain deformation, the projecting guide elements 52 according to the invention are also able to reduce the radial clearance exist between these two components of the training device 30. It is necessary to this fact can advantageously limit noise problems related to the mobility of the protection tube 50 with respect to the connecting element 40.

The shape of each projecting guide element 52 may be arbitrary as long as its distal part is able to come into contact and cooperating by sliding with the cylindrical portion 41 of the connecting element 40. A projecting guide element 52 may for example have a substantially triangular or semicircular section. What is above all important is that the contact is permanent and that the contact surface total as small as possible between the protection tube 50 and the element link 40.

According to FIG. 3, the cylindrical part 41 here extends partially over the length of the body of the connecting element 40. The assembly is in fact arranged so that the cylindrical portion 41 is positioned only in relation to the projecting guide elements 52 with which it is intended to cooperate by sliding. The fact that the cylindrical part 41 be located only at the place where the guidance is to be carried out to minimize the weight of the connecting element 40, while guaranteeing precisely this guiding function.

Of course, the connecting element 40 can comprise either a single part cylindrical 41 able to co-operate with one or more series of projecting guide elements 52, ie a plurality of parts cylindrical 41, capable of cooperating respectively with different series of projecting guide elements 52.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, the diameter of the cylindrical portion 41 is greater than that of the interface 43 of the link 40, which is intended to be coupled to the latch 10. feature is simply intended to allow the setting up of the protection tube 50 around the connecting element 40. that the interfaces 43, 44 of the connecting element 40 are here typically intended to make gimbal-type links with complementary movable elements respectively secured to the lock 10 and the lock 20.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the element connection may comprise at least three protruding guide elements adapted to cooperate by sliding with the inner wall 51 of the tube of protection 50. This feature can be used as an alternative or in combination with the previously described embodiment.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 4, the guiding elements protrusions 52 are distributed substantially evenly over the surface of the element on which they are made, in this case on the inner wall 51 of the protection tube 50. The purpose is to guarantee homogeneous guidance. This does not mean that the projecting guide elements 52 must be arranged in a strictly regular manner, that is to say with constant angular deviations the distribution can be realized with variable spacings as long as the rhythm of these variations are repeated periodically on the surface of the inner wall 51.

But preferably and precisely in accordance with this figure 4, the protruding guide elements 52 are here positioned so substantially equidistant from each other on the surface of the element on which they are formed, namely the inner wall 51 of the tube protection 50.

In this particular embodiment, the guide elements 52 are four in number, and are located near the end 53 of the protective tube 50 which is intended to be positioned next to the lock 10.

According to another feature of the preferred embodiment, visible this In FIG. 6, one end 54 of the protection tube 50 has a internal bevel 55 which is able to cooperate by sliding (FIG. 7) with a conical portion 45 of the connecting element 40, of shape substantially complementary.

This feature has the advantage of allowing both guidance radial and an axial guide of the protective tube 50 relative to the element 40, since the conical surfaces 55, 46 concerned by the relative sliding extend obliquely vis-à-vis the axis of rotation. The conical portion 45 also forms a stop in translation, which allows therefore to block axially, and in a certain direction, the tube protection 50 with respect to the connecting element 40.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the conical portion 45 is arranged substantially at the end of the body of the connecting element 40 which is located near the interface 44 intended to be coupled to the lock 20. frustoconical surface 46 is in turn oriented toward the interface 43 of the connecting element 40, which is intended to be coupled to the latch 10.

According to another feature of the preferred embodiment, visible only in FIG. 1, the training device 30 is provided with means of elastic return 60 which are able to axially push the tube of protection 50 against the conical portion 45 of the connecting element 40. This feature allows reduction of both axial play and play radial. On the one hand, this further improves the radial guidance of the axial rotation of the protection tube 50 with respect to the connecting element 40, and on the other hand, it helps to better control the problems of vibration between these two elements, which are sources of noise.

According to still FIG. 1, the elastic return means 60 Moreover, they are able to maintain the connecting element 40 substantially horizontally in the extension of the lock 10. This means in others terms that the elastic return means 60, used to maintain in contact the protection tube 50 and the conical portion 45 of the element of link 40, can also be used to classically straighten said connecting element 40 to the horizontal.

Of course, all the elastic return means known to the state of the technique can be used to fulfill this function. But of preferably, the elastic return means 60 comprise a spring of compression 61, one end of which bears against the latch 10 and the other end bears against the end 53 of the protection tube 50 which is positioned opposite said latch 10.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a drive device 130 according to a second embodiment of the invention. This one is remarkable in that it has at least one interface element 131 which is elastically deformable and extending between the inner wall of the protective tube 150, and the body of the connecting element 140. The use of several elements interface 131, adequately distributed at separate guidance, allows a significant saving of material.

Due to its intercalated positioning and its intrinsic flexibility, the element interface 131 is able to avoid any direct contact between the tube of protection 150 and the connecting element 140, but also to dampen the vibrations likely to appear between these two elements. This configuration therefore makes it possible to minimize advantageously the noises that usually result from the existence of editing games.

As can be seen more precisely in FIG. 9, the interface element 131 has an outer shape substantially complementary to the wall internal of the protection tube 50, as well as an internal shape substantially complementary to the body of the connecting element 140. The interface element 131 is thus a true body with the other components of the device 130, occupying all the available space between the tube protection 150 and the connecting element 140, for a better efficiency of its filtration capabilities.

Particularly advantageously, the interface element 131 is made of elastomer. This material may in particular be overmoulded or slid on the connecting element 150.

According to a feature of the invention, the protection tube 50, 150 can be made of plastic material.

However, the protection tube 50, 150 could very well be realized in metal. The advantage over plastic is that at equal stiffness it is possible to use a protective tube 50, 150 of substantially scaled down. The gain in space is then far from negligible, in reason in particular because the training device 30, 130 is often intended to be located near a window 104.

Of course, the invention also relates to any closure system 1 provided with a lock 10 and a lock 20, wherein said lock 10 is able to actuate said lock 20 via a device 30, 130 as previously described.

Even more generally, the invention is furthermore related to all motor vehicle having at least one closure system 1 such that previously described.

Claims (19)

Drive device (30, 130) for actuating a lock (20) from a lock (10), in particular for a closure system (1) for opening (100) of a motor vehicle, having a connecting element (40, 140) whose ends are respectively adapted to be coupled in rotation with a portion mounted to rotate axially of the latch (10) on the one hand, and with a portion mounted to rotate axially of the lock (20) on the other hand, characterized in that it further comprises a rigid protective tube (50, 150) which is free to rotate axially around the body of the connecting element (40, 140). Drive device (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner wall (51) of the protection tube (50) comprises at least three projecting guide elements (52) which are able to cooperate by sliding with a part cylinder (41) arranged axially along the connecting element (40). Drive device (30) according to claim 2, characterized in that each cylindrical portion (41) extends partially over the length of the body of the connecting element (40), substantially opposite the projecting guide elements ( 52) with which it is intended to cooperate by sliding. Drive device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting element (40) comprises at least three projecting guide elements which are able to cooperate by sliding with the inner wall ( 51) of the protection tube (50). Drive device (30) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the projecting guide elements (52) are distributed substantially uniformly on the surface of the element on which they are formed. Drive device (30) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the projecting guide elements (52) are positioned substantially equidistant from one another on the surface of the element. on which they are spared. Drive device (30) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the projecting guide elements (52) are arranged close to the end (53) of the protective tube (50) which is intended to be positioned opposite the lock (10). Drive device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one end (54) of the protection tube (50) has an internal chamfer (55) which is able to cooperate by sliding with a conical portion (45) of the connecting element (40) of substantially complementary shape. Drive device (30) according to claim 8, characterized in that the conical portion (45) is arranged substantially at the end of the body of the connecting element (40) which is located near the interface ( 44) for coupling to the lock (20), the frusto-conical surface (46) being oriented towards the interface (43) of said connecting element (40) which is intended to be coupled to the lock (10). Drive device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises elastic return means (60) able to axially push the protection tube (50) against the conical portion (45). ) of the connecting element (40). Drive device (30) according to claim 10, characterized in that the elastic return means (60) are further adapted to maintain the connecting element (40) substantially horizontally in the extension of the latch (10). ). Drive device (30) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the elastic return means (60) comprise a compression spring (61), one end of which bears against the latch (10) and whose other end bears against the end (53) of the protection tube (50) which is positioned facing said latch (10). Drive device (130) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one elastically deformable interface element (131) which extends between the inner wall of the protection tube (150) and the body of the the connecting element (140). Drive device (130) according to claim 13, characterized in that the interface element (131) has an outer shape substantially complementary to the inner wall of the protection tube (150) and an inner shape substantially complementary to the body of the connecting element (140). Drive device (130) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the interface element (131) is made of elastomer. Drive device (30, 130) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the protection tube (50, 150) is made of plastics material. Drive device (30, 130) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the protection tube (50, 150) is made of metal. Locking system (1) comprising a lock (10) and a lock (20), characterized in that said lock (10) is able to actuate said lock (20) via a drive device (30). 130) according to any one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one closure system (1) according to the preceding claim.

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