EP1771636A1

EP1771636A1 - A device for opening and closing a chamber in motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP1771636A1
Application number: EP05763416A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marco Accorsi
Original assignee: Prima Srl
Current assignee: Prima Srl
Priority date: 2004-07-30
Filing date: 2005-07-13
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Also published as: WO2006021844A1; CA2567269A1; ITMO20040204A1

Abstract

The device comprises: a frame (2) prediposed to be associated to a motor vehicle, which frame (2) delimits an opening (3) of a chamber (30); a hatch (4) prdisposed to close the opening (3) delimited by the frame (2); means for moving, interpositioned between the frame (2) and the hatch (4), predisposed to activate the hatch (4) and to move the hatch (4) between at least a closed position, in which the hatch (4) closes the opening (3) delimited by the frame (2), and at least an open position, in which the hatch (4) does not close the opening (3). The means for moving are arranged in such a way as to define a plane of motion, oscillating about a main rotation axis (x), on which plane of motion the means for moving slide the batch (4) along a sliding direction (y) which is perpendicular to the main rotation axis (x). The main rotation axis (x) is transversal with respect to the opening (3) delimited by the frame (2).

Description

Description A Device for Opening and Closing a Chamber in Motor Vehicles.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for opening and closing a chamber in motor vehicles. The device is usefully applied in particular for opening and closing luggage compartments in coaches and buses. Background Art Devices of known type generally comprise a boot hatch which can be opened and closed and is accessible from a side of the coach.

In a first type of device the hatch is directly hinged to the side of the coach at the upper edge thereof. The hatch is opened and closed by being rotated about an upper edge thereof between a lower position, in which the luggage compartment is closed, and an upper position, distanced from the first position by more or less a 180° angle, at which position the compartment is accessible from outside the coach. Gas springs are generally predisposed between the hatch and a part solidly connected to the coach body in order to facilitate hatch opening and to prevent its closing by force of gravity. Devices of this type exhibit the drawback of requiring a considerable space externally of the coach in order for the hatch to be opened. The space must be greater than the hatch door width, as the latter when being opened runs through a cylindrical area which has its width as a radius. This drawback can be especially important in parking areas specially designated for coaches, where the lateral distances between the vehicles are often rather limited. Other devices of known type, which only in part resolve the problem of the lateral opening space, have the hatch door not directly hinged to the side of the coach, but associated to the coach by two curved elements which at an end thereof are hinged to an internal part of the luggage chamber, while at the other end they are hinged to the hatch door in proximity of the lateral edges. Each of the curved elements exhibits a concavity facing upwards across the upper edge of the access opening of the luggage compartment. A hydraulic piston, or a gas piston, is at one end hinged to a part which is solidly constrained to the coach, while at the other end it is hinged to the curved element and is predisposed to rotate the curved element about a hinge axis thereof. The rotation of the curved elements causes the hatch to follow a circular trajectory, remaining about parallel to itself, between a lower position in which the luggage compartment is closed and an upper position in which the luggage compartment is open. Devices of this type partially limit the space required for the movement of the hatch door, but when the hatch is open the access to the luggage compartment is partially obstructed by the curved elements. Also, with the hatch closed, the curved elements project downwards and towards the inside of the luggage compartment, thus limiting the available volume of the chamber. The main aim of the present invention is to provide a device for opening and closing a chamber in motor vehicles which obviates the drawbacks existing in the known-type devices. Disclosure of Invention Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge from the detailed description that follows of some preferred embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures of the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the device according to the present invention;

Figures 2 to 5 show the device of the invention in various operational configurations, all in a section made according to a vertical plane; Figures 6 and 7 show the device of figures 2-5 in a different embodiment. With reference to the figures of the drawings, the device of the invention comprises a hatch 4 predisposed to open and close and opening 3 of a compartment 30 which develops internally of the motor vehicle, preferably a coach. The opening 3 of the compartment 30 is delimited by a frame 2 solidly constrained to a part of the motor vehicle, typically the side of the coach. The frame 2 can be defined for example by the edge of the opening 3 made on the side of the coach.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening 3 and the hatch 4 exhibit a flat rectangular shape. The elements are arranged in a vertical position, on the side of the coach.

Means for moving, operatively interpositioned between the frame 2 and the hatch 4, are predisposed to activate the hatch 4 between at least a closed position, in which the hatch 4 obstructs the opening 3 delimited by the frame 2, and at least an open position, in which the hatch 4 does not obstruct the opening 3. The means for movement are arranged in order to define a movement plane, oscillating about a main rotation axis x, along which the hatch 4 runs in an orthogonal sliding direction y to the main rotation axis x. The main rotation axis x is transversal with respect to the opening 3 delimited by the frame 2. The means for moving comprise at least a first straight-movement actuator, operatively interpositioned between the frame 2 and the hatch 4, which is predisposed to slide the hatch 4 on the plane of motion along the sliding direction y between at least two extreme positions. The first actuator rotates about the main rotation axis x. At least a second actuator, operatively interpositioned between the frame 2 and the first straight-movement actuator, is predisposed to move the first actuator in rotation about the main rotation axis x in order that the movement plane rotates between at least a first position, at which it is parallel to the opening 3 delimited by the frame 2, and at least a second position, at which it is inclined with respect to the opening 3. Preferably the first actuator is constituted by a first hydraulic cylinder 5, rotatingly constrained to the frame 2 about the main rotation axis x. The stem 5b of the cylinder 5 is constrained to the hatch 4.

The second straight-line actuator is a second hydraulic cylinder 6, rotatingly constrained to the frame 2 about a rotation axis which is parallel to the main rotation axis x. The stem 6a of the second cylinder 6 is constrained to the first hydraulic cylinder 6. In the preferred embodiment the stem 6a of the second cylinder 6 is rotatingly constrained to a con rod 62 which at an end thereof is hinged to the frame 2, while at the other end thereof it is hinged to the first cylinder 5 about axes which are parallel to the main rotation axis x. The second hydraulic cylinder 6 is arranged perpendicular to the main rotation axis x. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying figures of the drawings, the device comprises a third hydraulic cylinder 51, rotatingly constrained to the frame 2 about the main rotation axis x, the stem 51 of which is constrained to the hatch 4. The third hydraulic cylinder 51 is arranged parallel to the first hydraulic cylinder 5 in such a way that with their longitudinal axes the two cylinders identify the movement plane of the hatch 4. In the preferred embodiment the device further comprises a fourth hydraulic cylinder 61, rotatingly constrained to the frame 2 about a rotation axis which is parallel to the main rotation axis x, the stem 61a of which is constrained to the third hydraulic cylinder 51 by a con rod 62 of the type already described in reference to the second cylinder 6. The fourth hydraulic cylinder 61 is arranged perpendicular to the main rotation axis x.

As ca be seen in the appended figures of the drawings, the first and third hydraulic cylinders 5, 51, are arranged along two opposite sides of the frame 2, in particular along the vertical sides of the frame 2. The main rotation axis x is arranged in proximity of a side of the frame 2 which is perpendicular to the opposite sides, in particular in proximity of the lower side of the frame 2. In the preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least a first guide 7, rotatingly constrained to the frame 2 about the rotation axis x of the oscillating plane, to which the hatch 4 is engaged. The first guide 7 is arranged parallel to the sliding direction y and is predisposed to guide the hatch 4 along the sliding direction y.

Preferably the device further comprises a second guide 8 arranged parallel to the first guide 7. In this embodiment the first guide 7 and the second guide 8 identify the movement plane of the hatch 4 and the stems 5a, 51a of the first cylinder 5 and the third cylinder 51 are rotatingly constrained to the hatch 4 about rotation axes which are parallel to the main rotation axis x. The first guide 7 and the second guide 8 are each defined by an element having a groove that defines a sliding track respectively for a first wheel 71 and a second wheel 81 which are both rotatingly constrained to the hatch 4. The wheels 71, 81 rotate about rotation axes that are parallel to the main rotation axis x. Advantageously the wheels 71, 81 can be externally cogged and can enmesh with straight cogging solidly constrained to the first and the second guides 7, 8. The enmeshing between the wheels 71, 81 and the straight coggings guarantees perfect synchrony between the rolling motions of the wheels, making sure they proceed at a same speed.

In the preferred embodiment the guides 7, 8 are arranged along the two opposite sides of the frame 2 to which the first and third cylinders 5, 51 are close.

The guides 7, 8 are solidly constrained to the first and the third hydraulic cylinders 5, 51 in rotation about the main rotation axis x, while they can perform a predetermined run along the sliding direction y with respect to the first and third hydraulic cylinders 5, 51. The ability of the guides 7, 8 to perform a run along the sliding direction y allows for the use of hydraulic cylinders having three telescopic elements which, in terms of total run, in the closed configuration are shorter than a cylinder having two telescopic elements of the type shown in the figure. In the case of three-element cylinders, with the objective of reducing the length of the actuators in a closed configuration, the guides 7, 8 can be shorter with respect to the total run of the cylinders. In the part of the run of the cylinders that exceeds the length of the guides 7, 8, the guides are drawn by the hatch 4, sliding along the sliding direction y, by means of the wheels 71, 81, which strike on an end- run of the guides 7, 8 themselves.

The device operates as follows, starting from an initial configuration in which the hatch 4 is closed (figure 2). In the initial configuration the hatch 4 closes off the opening 3 delimited by the frame 2 and pressed in contact with a seal 80 interpositioned between the hatch 4 and the frame 2. The second and fourth hydraulic cylinders 6, 61 are extended and cause the first and third cylinders 5, 51 and the first and second guides 7, 8 to rotate about the main rotation axis x. The rotation of the elements is equivalent to the rotation of the hatch 4 motion plane from the first position to the second position (figure 3). In the second position the hatch 4 motion plane and the hatch 4 itself are inclined with respect to the opening 3 delimited by the frame 2. In particular, in the second position the upper edge of the hatch 4 is distanced from the upper edge of the opening 3, while the lower edge of the hatch 4 is still about in the initial position. Once the motion plane of the hatch 4 and the and the hatch itself 4 are in the second position, the first and third hydraulic cylinders 5, 51 are extended (figure 4) and bring the hatch 4 from an extreme lower position, in which it is in front of the opening 3, to an extreme upper position (figure 5) in which the hatch 4 is arranged above the opening 4, freeing the opening completely. To return to the initial configuration, the described operations are inverted, so that first the first and third hydraulic cylinders are activated to bring the hatch 4 into the extreme lower position, and then the second and fourth cylinders are activated to rotate the hatch 4 into the initial closed position.

Advantageously the guides 7, 8 exhibit a terminal portion which is inclined towards the frame 2 by a greater angle than the inclination which the sliding direction y exhibits with respect to the frame 2 in the second position of the moving plane of the hatch 4. In the illustrated solution, this end portion is the lower portion of the guides 7, 8. The presence of the inclined end portions of the guides 7, 8 causes the lower edge of the hatch 4 to press in contact with the seal 80, thus achieving a perfect seal. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in figures 6 and 7, the means for moving are predisposed, apart from for defining an oscillating plane of motion about the main rotation axis x on which the hatch 4 is slid along the sliding direction y, also for causing a translation of the main rotation axis x along a secondary sliding direction y' which is perpendicular to the main rotation axis x itself. In this way the plane of motion of the hatch 4, apart from rotating about the main rotation axis x, translates with respect to the opening 3 along the secondary sliding direction y'.

In this alternative embodiment of the device, the main rotation axis x is constrained at ends thereof to two plates 10 which are slidable with respect to fixed guides 11 which are solidly constrained to the frame 2. This further geometric constraint of the main rotation axis x is put into practice by rotatingly constraining the first and the third hydraulic cylinders 5, 51 to the plates 10 by pivots which are coaxial to the main rotation axis x. The opening of the batch 4, in the above-described alternative embodiment, comprises a further movement along the secondary sliding direction y'. This movement is developed between two extreme positions, one internal, in which the hatch 4 is in the closed position, and an external position in which also the lower edge of the hatch 4 is distanced from the opening 3. This prevents, during the rotation of the hatch 4, the lower edge of the hatch 4 from pressing excessively hard on the seals along the lower edge of the opening 3. The displacement of the main rotation axis x along the secondary sliding direction y' is done by means of the second 6 and the fourth 61 hydraulic cylinders.

Preferably all of the hydraulic cylinders used for the realisation of the device are double-acting cylinders, provided with an internal spring that presses the cylinder stems towards the outside, limiting the pressure needed to open the hatch 4. The device can be provided with a manual action for opening; by discharging the hydraulic cylinders the action exerted by the springs is sufficient, with a small contribution on the part of the user, to rotate and raise the hatch 4 into the open position.

The device of the invention offers important advantages. Firstly it is extremely simple and safe. The hatch 4 is opened and closed while all the time staying close to the side of the coach, needing only a very small space for moving in. All of the actuators and the elements needed for moving the hatch can be positioned at the sides of the opening 3 delimited by the frame 2, from which the chamber 30 is accessible across the whole surface of the opening 3 itself. Even with the hatch 4 closed the actuators and the elements needed for the movement of the hatch do not constitute an obstacle internally of the chamber 30.

Claims

Claims.

1). A device for opening and closing a chamber in motor vehicles, comprising: a hatch (4) predisposed for opening and closing an opening (3) of a chamber

(30) which develops internally of the motor vehicle, the opening (3) being delimited by a frame (2) which is solidly constrained to a part of the motor vehicle; means for moving, interpositioned between the frame (2) and the hatch (4), predisposed to activate the hatch (4) and to move the hatch (4) between at least a closed position, in which the hatch (4) closes the opening (3) delimited by the frame (2), and at least an open position, in which the hatch (4) does not close the opening (3); wherein the means for moving are arranged in such a way as to define a plane of motion, oscillating about a main rotation axis (x), on which plane of motion the means for moving slide the hatch (4) along a sliding direction (y) which is perpendicular to the main rotation axis (x), the main rotation axis (x) being transversal with respect to the opening (3) delimited by the frame (2).

2). The device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving comprise: at least a first actuator of straight movement, interpositioned between the frame (2) and the hatch (4) which first actuator is predisposed to activate the hatch (4) and slide it on the plane of motion along the sliding direction (y) between at least two extreme positions, the first actuator rotating about the main rotation axis (x); at least a second actuator, interpositioned between the frame (2) and the first actuator, which second actuator is predisposed to activate the first actuator to rotate about the main rotation axis (x) in such a way that the plane of motion rotates between at least a first position, in which is parallel to the opening (3) delimited by the frame (2), and at least a second position, in which it is inclined with respect to the opening (3).

3). The device of claim 2, wherein the at least a first actuator is constituted by a first hydraulic cylinder (5), rotatingly constrained to the frame (2) about the main rotation axis (x), the stem (5a) of which first hydraulic cylinder (5) is constrained to the hatch (4).

4). The device of claim 2, wherein the at least a second actuator is constituted by a second hydraulic cylinder (6), rotatingly constrained to the frame (2) about a rotation axis which is parallel to the main rotation axis (x), the stem (6a) of which is constrained to the first hydraulic cylinder (5), the second hydraulic cylinder (6) being arranged perpendicular to the main rotation axis

(X).

5). The device of claim 3, wherein it comprises a third hydraulic cylinder (51) which is rotatingly constrained to the frame (2) about the main rotation axis (x), a stem (51a) of which third hydraulic cylinder (51) is constrained to the hatch (4), the third hydraulic cylinder (51) being arranged parallel to the first hydraulic cylinder (5), the first (5) and the third (51) hydraulic cylinders identifying, with longitudinal axes thereof, the plane of motion of the hatch

(4).

6). The device of claim 5, wherein it comprises a fourth hydraulic cylinder

(61), rotatingly constrained to the frame (2) about a rotation axis which is parallel to the main rotation axis (x), a stem of which fourth hydraulic cylinder (61) is constrained to the third hydraulic cylinder (51), the fourth hydraulic cylinder (61) being arranged perpendicular to the main rotation axis

(x). 7). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises at least a first guide (7), rotatingly constrained to the frame (2) about the main rotation axis (x) of the oscillating plane, to which first guide

(7) the hatch is engaged, the first guide (7) being arranged parallel to the sliding direction (y) and being predisposed to lead the hatch (4) along the sliding direction (y).

8). The device of claim 7, wherein the device comprises a second guide (8) arranged parallel to the first guide (7), the first guide (7) and the second guide

(8) identifying the plane of motion of the hatch (4), the stems (5a and 51a) of the first hydraulic cylinder (5) and the third hydraulic cylinder (51) being rotatingly constrained to the hatch (4) about rotation axes which are parallel to the main rotation axis (x).

9). The device of claim 8, wherein the first guide (7) and the second guide (8) are each defined by an element provided with a groove which defines a sliding track, respectively for a first wheel (71) and a second wheel (81) which are rotatingly constrained to the hatch (4).

10). The device of claim 9, wherein the wheels (71, 81) rotate about rotation axes which are parallel to the main rotation axis (x).

11). The device of claim 10, wherein the first wheel (71) and the second wheel (81) are externally cogged and are predisposed to enmesh with straight coggings which are constrained to the first guide (7) and the second guide (8). 12). The device of claim 9, wherein the first guide (7) and the second guide (8) exhibit an end portion which is inclined towards the frame (2) by a greater angle with respect to an inclination that the sliding direction (y) exhibits towards the frame (2) in the second position of the plane of motion of the hatch (4). 13). The device of claim 9, wherein the first guide (7) and the second guide

(8) are solidly constrained to the first hydraulic cylinder (5) and the third hydraulic cylinder (51) in rotation about the main rotation axis (x), and wherein the first guide (7) and the second guide (8) can perform a predetermined run along the sliding direction (y) with respect to the first hydraulic cylinder (5) and the third hydraulic cylinder (51).

14). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (3) and the hatch (4) are rectangular and flat.

15). The device of claim 14, wherein the first guide (7) and the second guide

(8) and the first hydraulic cylinder (5) and the third hydraulic cylinder (51) are arranged along two opposite sides of the frame (2), the main rotation axis

(x) being arranged in proximity of a side of the frame (2) which is perpendicular to the opposite sides thereof.

16). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for moving are predisposed to actuate a translation of the main rotation axis (x) along a secondary sliding direction (y') which is perpendicular to the main rotation axis (x), so that the plane of motion of the hatch (4), apart from rotating about the main rotation axis (x), translates with respect to the opening

(3) along the second sliding direction (y').

17). The device of claim 16, wherein the main rotation axis (x) is constrained at ends thereof to two plates (10) which plates (10) are slidable with respect to fixed guides (11) which are solidly constrained to the frame (2).

18). The device of claim 17, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder (5) and the third hydraulic cylinder (51) are rotatingly constrained to the plates (10) about the main rotation axis (x).