EP1759076B1 - Device for assisting in opening/closing an openable unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for power-assisted opening/closing of an openable panel in a motor vehicle, comprising: a latch ( 9 ) for disengaging/engaging a striker; a pawl ( 10 ) able to lock the latch ( 9 ) in at least one locked position and release said latch ( 9 ); a first kinematic chain ( 3 ) for power-assisted closing, of which one end is connected to a motor ( 1 ) and the other to said latch ( 9 ); and a second kinematic chain ( 4 ) for power-assisted opening, of which one end is connected to said motor ( 1 ) and the other to said pawl ( 10 ); which device is characterized in that said motor ( 1 ) comprises a through shaft ( 2 ), of which one end forms a driving connection with said first kinematic chain ( 3 ) and the other a driving connection with the second kinematic chain ( 4 ).

Description

The invention relates to an assistance device for the opening / closing of an opening. It applies in particular to door locks, in the automotive field, such as side doors, having one or two locking notches to assist the closure in the compression phase of the seal of the opening and the opening to improve user comfort.

At present, there are on the market of assistance systems opening and closing with two motors or a motor with a turning output in both directions.

Thus, it is known in the prior art the patent application WO 0049252 .

In the patent application WO 0049252 , the device comprises a bolt for disengaging / engaging a striker, a pawl adapted to lock the bolt in at least one locking position and releasing said bolt, a connecting rod adapted to act on the bolt during assistance with closing, a first kinematic chain for closing assistance, one end of which is connected to a motor and the other end is connected to said link, a second kinematic chain for opening assistance, one end of which is connected to said motor and the other end is connected to said pawl.

Thus, in this system, a motor operates in both directions of rotation with an electromagnetic clutch to manage the opening phase or the closing phase. During the closing phase, a motor activates a pinion and authorizes the closing of the bolt, the first notch then the second notch. During the opening phase, the motor activates the pinion in the other direction and allows the release of the bolt by action on the pawl. The electromagnetic clutch with the spring allows a return to the initial position of the part, during an operation in opening or closing and avoids residual stresses in the chain of closure or opening.

This type of system has disadvantages. This system always requires an electronic engine management means for rotation in both directions, namely for opening and closing, which complicates the drive train and therefore makes it less reliable and more expensive. Moreover, for the same disadvantages, this type of system also requires the use of an electromagnetic clutch and a control system of this clutch. Finally, the electromagnetic clutch requires the presence of two switches, one in contact with the bolt and the other in contact with the pawl, in order to determine the states of these two elements. These switches represent a significant cost and are relatively unreliable or fragile electronic means after a long period of use.

The present invention intends to overcome the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art by providing a simpler system, that is to say requiring fewer control elements or actuation, more mechanically reliable and less expensive in its implementation. The present invention further proposes in this regard two particular embodiments each having their own advantages.

Thus, the invention relates to a device for assisting the opening / closing of an opening leaf in a motor vehicle, comprising a bolt for disengaging / engaging a strike, a pawl adapted to lock the bolt in at least one position blocking and releasing said bolt, a first kinematic chain for assisting closure whose one end is connected to a motor and the other end is connected to said drive means, a second kinematic chain for assistance to the opening whose one end is connected to said motor and the other end is connected to said pawl, characterized in that said motor comprises a traversing shaft whose two ends form a driving connection with respectively said first kinematic chain and the second kinematic chain.

The first kinematic chain comprises, at its end in contact with the bolt, a unilateral drive means by contact able to act on the bolt during the assistance to the closure.

Unilateral drive means by contact consists of an element able to push, or to drive out, the bolt during assistance with closing, that is to say when the first drive train is active, and to withdraw, or to disengage from its contact with the bolt and its rotational trajectory during an opening action of the opening, so that the bolt can rotate without discomfort.

Thus, thanks to the use of a single through-shaft motor according to the device of the invention, it is now possible to transmit torque on both sides of the motor.

One of the advantages of the device of the invention lies in the fact that it uses only one motor to perform the assistance in closing or opening.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first kinematic chain comprises a free wheel, said wheel being driving during its rotation in a first direction so that said kinematic chain acts, via the unilateral drive by contact, on the bolt to assist closing, said free wheel being inactive during its rotation opposite said first direction.

In this embodiment, the sprockets or wheels making up the first and the second kinematic chain are able to rotate in both directions of rotation. The advantage of the first embodiment, with the freewheel, lies in the simplicity and mechanical reliability of this element, which requires no dedicated management means.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the free wheel is replaced by a clutch. Thus, the first kinematic chain will comprise a clutch, for example an electromagnetic clutch, able to activate / inactivate the action of said first kinematic chain on said drive means. In this solution, the clutch is coupled to a return spring to return said clutch to the active position so as to reactivate said first kinematic chain so that the latter is able to act on said drive means.

In the second embodiment, the gears or the wheels of the first and the second kinematic chain can rotate in only one direction of rotation. The use of a clutch and a return spring makes it possible to avoid a permanent stress on the first driveline during closing. Another advantage of this embodiment of the invention lies in the fact that it only requires electronic management of the motor in one direction. Indeed, in this embodiment, the traversing shaft only rotates in one direction.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique illustrant le fonctionnement d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention selon le premier mode de réalisation,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique de la roue libre à came utilisée dans la première chaîne cinématique du premier mode de réalisation selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique illustrant le fonctionnement d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique du pêne, du cliquet et de la seconde chaîne cinématique en position « juste ouverture » dans le second mode de réalisation selon l'invention.

The invention is described below in more detail, with the aid of figures representing only preferred embodiments of the invention.

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of a device according to the invention according to the first embodiment,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the freewheel cam used in the first kinematic chain of the first embodiment according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of a device according to the invention according to a second embodiment,
• Figure 4 is a schematic view of the bolt, the ratchet and the second kinematic chain in "just open" position in the second embodiment of the invention.

In the following, the example chosen to illustrate the invention comprises particular elements fulfilling the function defined in the claims. Thus, the unilateral contact drive means here consists of a rod 8. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this element 8 could also be a toothed wheel with a bearing surface capable of acting on the bolt, identical to that of described in the patent application WO 0049252 .

• un unique moteur électrique 1 muni d'un arbre traversant 2, dont les extrémités sont situés de part et d'autre du moteur 1 de sorte que les première 3 et seconde 4 chaînes cinématiques sont entièrement situées de part et d'autre du moteur 1,
• une première chaîne cinématique 3, destinée à l'assistance à la fermeture, comportant deux roues d'entraînement 5 et 6, dont une 5 est entraînée en rotation par une extrémité de l'arbre traversant 2, et un secteur denté 7 agissant sur une bielle 8,
• une bielle 8, qui lorsque mise en action par la première chaîne cinématique 3, pousse sur un pêne 9, ce dernier entraînant l'ouvrant de manière à assister sa fermeture. En effet, lors de l'assistance à la fermeture, le pêne 9 attrape la gâche, non représentée sur les figures annexées, et rapproche l'ouvrant du dormant, que la gâche ou le pêne 9 se trouve respectivement sur l'un ou l'autre de ces deux éléments, dormant ou ouvrant,
• un pêne 9, en forme de U disposant de deux branches sensiblement parallèles formant un logement pour une gâche, non représentée sur les figures annexées,
• un cliquet 10 s'étendant sensiblement suivant un axe linéaire, disposant à l'une de ses extrémités d'un pic protubérant 11, ou d'une aile, pour venir bloquer le pêne 9 au moins dans une position de blocage, et à l'autre extrémité une surface de contact 12, s'étendant sensiblement curviligne ou circulaire, venant en contact avec un maneton 13 porté par
• la seconde chaîne cinématique 4, destiné à l'assistance à l'ouverture, comprend ici un unique pignon 14 entraîné en rotation par l'autre extrémité de l'arbre traversant 2, ledit pignon 14 étant muni d'un maneton 13, par exemple de forme cylindrique.

The first and second embodiments of the assistance device for opening / closing according to the invention, respectively shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 3-4, include the following elements:

• a single electric motor 1 provided with a traversing shaft 2, whose ends are located on either side of the engine 1 so that the first 3 and second 4 kinematic chains are entirely located on either side of the engine 1,
• a first drive train 3 intended for closing assistance, comprising two drive wheels 5 and 6, one of which is rotated by one end of the traversing shaft 2, and a toothed sector 7 acting on a connecting rod 8,
• a rod 8, which when actuated by the first kinematic chain 3, pushes on a bolt 9, the latter driving the opening so as to assist its closure. Indeed, when assisting the closure, the bolt 9 catches the striker, not shown in the accompanying figures, and brings the opening of the frame, the latch or the bolt 9 is respectively on one or the other of these two elements, sleeping or opening,
• a bolt 9, U-shaped having two substantially parallel branches forming a housing for a striker, not shown in the accompanying figures,
• a pawl 10 extending substantially along a linear axis, having at one of its ends a protruding peak 11, or a wing, to come to block the bolt 9 at least in a locking position, and to other end a contact surface 12, extending substantially curvilinear or circular, coming into contact with a crank pin 13 carried by
• the second kinematic chain 4, intended for opening assistance, here comprises a single pinion 14 driven in rotation by the other end of the traversing shaft 2, said pinion 14 being provided with a crankpin 13, for example cylindrical shape.

The electric motor 1 is housed in a housing or the like of which is protruding, on two opposite faces, the two respective ends of the traversing shaft 2. The traversing shaft 2, constituted in a conventional manner, extends linearly and its two ends are respectively protruding just to rotate the two kinematic chains 3 and 4.

The first kinematic chain 3, or kinematic chain of assistance for closing, consists of a first drive wheel 5 comprising two wheels 15, 16 of different diameter. The larger of the two wheels 15 is in contact, that is to say its peripheral surface is in contact with one end of the traversing shaft 2 driving it in rotation, while the second wheel 16, of smaller diameter than that of the first wheel 15, is in contact with a wheel 17 of the second drive wheel 6 to drive it in rotation. The second drive wheel 6 comprises a non-visible free wheel cam located between the wheel 17 and a second wheel 18 of smaller diameter than the wheel 17. The second wheel 18 is in contact with a toothed sector 7 whose contact surface with the second wheel 18 forms a portion of a circle.

Of course, it may be provided to replace the freewheel cam, or roller, by a freewheel with a ramp or any other type of freewheel able to allow rotation, and to communicate this rotation, only in one direction of rotation of the engine 1.

The first kinematic chain 3 comprises, at its end in contact with the rod 8, the toothed sector 7 adapted to act on the connecting rod 8. Thus, when the freewheel rotates, according to its authorized direction of rotation, and drives the second wheel 18 causing the toothed sector 7, the latter 7 also rotates and drives the connecting rod 8, or actuating rod. The connecting rod 8 here has an actuating function on the bolt 9 of pushing it, by contact, so as to rotate, the latter action constituting the final action of assisting the closure.

In the first embodiment, the freewheel is allowed to rotate only in one direction so that there is an active direction of rotation of the motor for the freewheel and a direction of rotation of the inactive motor for the freewheel.

Thus, during the opening assistance, the motor 1 is activated and rotates the traversing shaft 2, in the example chosen to illustrate the invention, in the clockwise direction, which entails, relative to the second chain kinematic 4, the rotation of the pinion 14 and the crank pin 13 that it carries. The crank pin 13, in contact with the end portion 12 of the pawl 10, of substantially curvilinear or circular shape, drives the pawl 10 which releases the bolt 9 and allows the opening of the opening, for example a door of the motor vehicle . At the same time, the first drive train 3 is also driven by the action of the other end of the traversing shaft 2. The two drive wheels 5 and 6 are thus rotated as previously explained but the freewheel , forming a junction between the two wheels 17 and 18 of the second drive wheel 6, can not rotate when the thru-shaft 2 rotates clockwise, for assistance with closing, ie the freewheel is inactive from so that the wheel 18 does not turn or remains static. Thus, the toothed sector 7 and the rod 8 do not move, or remain fixed or immobile.

During assistance with closing, the motor 1 is activated and rotates the traversing shaft 2 in the counterclockwise direction, which causes the first kinematic chain 3, as explained above, the freewheel then being active. Thus, the wheel 18 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow so as to drive the toothed sector 7. The rod 8, actuated by the toothed sector 7, pushes on the bolt 9 and causes the bolt 9 which drives the opening and assists its closure. Concerning the second kinematic chain 4, the rotation of the pinion 14 simply places the crankpin 13 back to its initial position in which the pawl 10 blocks the bolt 9.

After assistance with closing, the connecting rod 8 remains in contact with the bolt 9. The presence of the return spring of the connecting rod 8 performs its action when an opening is made (rotational movement of the motor in the other direction) and thus makes it possible to release the connecting rod contact 8, of the bolt 9 for opening.

It is recalled that one of the functions of motor vehicles is, for safety reasons, to authorize the opening of the door at any time, in particular during assisted closing. Such a function is referred to by the Anglo-Saxon term "override".

In the context of assistance with override closure for the first embodiment, if, upon closing, an opening request is made, the motor 1, turning in the closing direction, stops and turn the other way to open. This action is controlled by the conventional means of electronic management of the engine 1, well known to those skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rotation of the traversing shaft 2 in the anti-clockwise direction, or assistance with closing, leading to the rotation of the wheel 17 in the direction indicated by the arrow 19, blocks the rollers 20 and drives the wheel 18. While during the rotation of the shaft 2 through the clockwise direction, or assistance with opening, according to the arrow 19 'the wheel 17 slides on the rollers 20, which n does not drive the wheel 18.

In the context of the second embodiment, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the free wheel of the first embodiment has been replaced by an electromagnetic clutch, not shown in the accompanying figures, at the same location between the wheel 17 and the wheel 18 of the second drive wheel 6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, there is only one direction of rotation of the traversing shaft 2 to manage the assistance phase for opening and closing. the closure.

Thus, in the opening assistance phase, the motor 1 is activated and turns the traversing shaft 2 in the clockwise direction, which has the effect of rotating the pinion 14 which drives the crankpin 13 secured to in the "just open" position, shown in Figure 4, wherein the pawl 10 releases the bolt 9 and the pawl 10, via its surface 12 extending substantially curvilinear or circular, remains in contact with the crankpin 13. Thus, the pawl 10 rises and releases the bolt 9, which allows the opening of the door, for example the door. In the same way as in the first embodiment, the traversing shaft 2 of the motor 1 also drives the first kinematic chain 3, but here the clutch decouples the wheels 17 and 18 so that the toothed sector 7 and the rod 8 remain motionless.

In the closing assistance phase, the motor 1 is activated and the traversing shaft 2 rotates in the same direction as for the assistance at the opening, for example thus the clockwise direction, but the clutch couples the wheels 17 and 18 so the toothed sector 7 causes the rod 8 which acts on the bolt 9, as explained above in the first embodiment. In this phase, initially, the crankpin 13 and the pawl 10 are in the "just open" position shown in Figure 4 and obtained at the end of the assistance phase opening.

Thus, the clutch is controlled by a management means, not shown in the appended figures, the active / inactive state of the first kinematic chain 3 as a function respectively of a request for opening / closing of the opening by an user. The active state of the first kinematic chain 3 corresponds to the actual drive of the toothed sector 7 and the connecting rod 8, and the inactive state of the first kinematic chain corresponds to the absence of drive of the latter two elements 7 and 8, which therefore remain motionless.

As previously, in the context of override closure assistance for this second embodiment, if, upon closure, an opening request is made, the clutch is deactivated and disconnects the wheels 17 and 18, rendering inactive the first kinematic chain 3. The motor 1 continues its rotation and makes the opening through the crank pin 13.

Claims (10)

1. A device for power-assisted opening/closing of an openable panel in a motor vehicle, comprising: a latch (9) for disengaging/engaging a striker; a pawl (10) able to lock the latch (9) in at least one locked position and release said latch (9); a first kinematic chain (3) for power-assisted closing, of which one end is connected to a motor (1) and the other to said latch (9); and a second kinematic chain (4) for power assisted opening, of which one end is connected to said motor (1) and the other to said pawl (10); which device is characterized in that said motor (1) comprises a through shaft (2), of which one end forms a driving connection with said first kinematic chain (3) and the other a driving connection with the second kinematic chain (4).
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first kinematic chain comprises, at its end in contact with the latch, a means (8) of unilateral actuation by contact able to act on the latch (9) during power-assisted closing.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first (3) and second (4) kinematic chains are situated entirely on opposite sides of said motor (1).
4. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the abovementioned first kinematic chain (3) comprises, at its end in contact with the means (8) of unilateral actuation by contact, a sector gear (7) able to act on said means (8).
5. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second kinematic chain (4) comprises a pinion (14) provided with a crank pin (13).
6. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the abovementioned first kinematic chain (3) comprises a freewheel, which freewheel transmits the drive when rotating in a first direction (19) so that said kinematic chain (3) acts, via the means (8) of unilateral actuation by contact, on the latch (9) for power-assisted closing, said freewheel being inactive when rotating in the opposite direction (19') to said first direction (19).
7. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the first kinematic chain (3) comprises a clutch, such as an electromagnetic clutch, able to activate/deactivate the action of said first kinematic chain (3) on the means (8) of unilateral actuation by contact.
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the clutch is coupled to a return spring to return said clutch to the active position in such a way as to reactivate the abovementioned first kinematic chain (3) so that the latter is able to act on the means (8) of unilateral actuation by contact.
9. The device as claimed in either of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the clutch is controlled by a means of controlling the inactive/active state of the first kinematic chain (3) depending on whether the user requests to open/close, respectively, the openable panel.
10. The device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the means (8) of unilateral actuation by contact is a link.

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