EP1849938B1 - Geared locking device for a sliding panel, corresponding blocking device and automobile. - Google Patents

Description

The field of the invention is that of automotive bays. More specifically, the invention relates to closure devices of an array formed in the bodywork of a vehicle, or in a door of the vehicle, and comprising a sliding mobile part, capable of releasing or closing an opening in these devices.

Conventionally, to seal the bay of a vehicle, be it an automobile, a commercial vehicle, a truck, a bus or a railway car, there is a report window, maintained by a connecting frame. The latter has an inner part and an outer part, which simultaneously pinch the edges of the ice and the opening in the body, with a seal.

The most commonly used technique for opening and closing the door windows is to make it movable vertically in its own plane, by making it enter or leave the box or the door trim. Sliding panels are also known horizontally along rails formed in a frame.

Another technique has been proposed by the holder of the present patent application. This technique is described in particular in patent documents EP - 0 778 168 and EP - 0 857 844 . The shutter device (hereinafter referred to as "flush bay") presented in these documents comprises a fixed assembly and a moving part relative to this fixed assembly. The movable part is connected to the fixed assembly by functional elements which provide the required mobility and which are reported on the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle. Yet another technique has been proposed in the patent document DE-A1-10349032 .

Such a "flush" bay can be mounted completely independently of the vehicle, and reported from the outside, in the housing defined for this purpose on the vehicle body. It can also be secured, in particular by bonding to the lower part of a door, according to the technique described in the patent document. EP - 1 022 172 .

From an aesthetic point of view, the "flush" bay presents, from the outside, a smooth appearance, flush with the bodywork, because no frame is necessary.

To ensure a sliding of the movable part, generally constituted by a transparent panel, there is provided for example a guiding device comprising a first and a second guide rails fixedly mounted on the fixed assembly of the bay (or fixed structure), both sides of the opening closed by the movable panel. It is mounted on the rails, to slide for example in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) open position and an intermediate release position in which it is facing the bay and cleared of it.

The invention relates more particularly to this type of shutter device called "flush bay", its variants and improvements. However, the invention may more broadly apply to all shutter devices whose kinematic opening and / or closing includes a displacement (in y) between an open position and an intermediate position of release , in a plane parallel to the plane of the fixed set, and a displacement (in x) in this parallel plane.

Several solutions have been proposed for locking the movable panel in the closed position, and optionally in selected opening positions. They are often not very ergonomic and / or practical, and require in particular to make an effort, for example clamping, to obtain the lock.

Among these, one knows a technique presented in the document EP-1,659,247 , according to which at least one bolt cooperating with a striker formed in one of the support and / or guide elements is provided, the striker having at least one ramp, so that the passage from a locked position to an unlocked position means locking causes the passage of the movable panel from a first plane to a second plane, and vice versa. Two bolts can be provided, to effectively lock the movable panel in high and low parts.

This approach is functionally efficient. However, it remains uncomfortable, since the displacement of the bolt is perpendicular to the axis of sliding, which presupposes easy handling. This is even more true in the case where two bolts are provided.

The invention particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages of the art.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a locking device of a sliding panel of a bay, simplifying the opening and closing operations of this panel, and the locking thereof in the closed position, and if necessary in the open position.

The invention also aims to provide such a closure device of a bay that allows locking, unlocking and sliding reliably and effortlessly.

Thus, a particular object of the invention is to provide such a device, which allows to easily control the sliding of the movable panel, whatever the direction of movement (opening or closing).

The invention also aims to provide such a closure device of a bay that remains simple to achieve, to mount on a door or on a vehicle.

• aspect esthétique affleurant ;
• aspects aérodynamiques ;
• facilité et coût réduit de fabrication ;
• facilité et coût réduit de montage.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a closure device for a bay which retains all the advantages of "flush bays" already developed by the holder of the present application, and in particular:

• flush aesthetic appearance;
• aerodynamic aspects;
• ease and reduced cost of manufacture;
• ease and reduced cost of assembly.

These objectives, as well as others that will appear later, are achieved by means of a locking device of a sliding panel of a motor vehicle, movable relative to a fixed structure, said device comprising at least one bolt cooperating with at least one additional locking element provided for this purpose on said fixed structure, and able to move along a locking axis to move from an unlocked state allowing said sliding panel to slide to a locked state in which it cooperates with one of said complementary locking elements to prevent said sliding, and vice versa.

According to the invention, each of said bolts is integral with a first end of a cable whose second end is secured to a driven gear, driven by a gear driving to ensure the passage of said bolt or said latched state to said unlocked state , said driving gear being actuated by two fingers integral with an actuating button and moving in opposite directions, said control button printing a rotational movement to each of said fingers, according to an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said locking axis .

By "gear" is meant herein a gear element, such as a wheel or a wheel portion.

Thus, according to the invention, there is a simple system, reliable and effective, allowing in the same movement to unlock the panel and move it slidably in either direction of sliding indifferently.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises two bolts, distributed on either side of said drive gear, each associated with a cable and a driven gear.

Preferably, the device comprises guiding elements or said cables, integral with said fixed structure.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, each of said bolts cooperates with biasing means, tending to return it to said locked state.

This movement at the same time brings the entire device, and in particular the actuating button, into a rest position.

The invention also relates to a device for closing a bay of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one moving panel sliding, movable relative to a fixed structure using a locking device as described above.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such device for closing a bay.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif d'obturation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 présente schématiquement les moyens de verrouillage du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3A et 3B présentent plus précisément les moyens de verrouillage / déverrouillage de la figure 2, respectivement :
  • - figure 3A : position verrouillée ;
  • - figure 3B : position déverrouillée ;
• les figures 4A et 4B présentent un exemple de bouton d'actionnement du dispositif de l'invention, respectivement :
  • - figure 4A : état verrouillé ;
  • - figure 4B : état déverrouillé.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a closure device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 schematically shows the locking means of the panel of the figure 1 ;
• the Figures 3A and 3B more specifically, the means for locking / unlocking the figure 2 , respectively :
  • - figure 3A : locked position;
  • - figure 3B : unlocked position;
• the Figures 4A and 4B show an example of an actuation button of the device of the invention, respectively:
  • - Figure 4A : locked state;
  • - Figure 4B : unlocked state.

As already indicated, the general principle of the invention is based in particular on the implementation of a rotary handle, operable indifferently in two directions to unlock and then move in one direction or the other the movable panel.

The figure 1 illustrates a shutter device for a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, implementing a locking device according to the invention. It comprises a fixed assembly 11 on which is mounted a movable panel 12, slidable along rails 13 and 14 mounted in upper parts and in the lower part of the fixed assembly 11. These rails are attached to the side facing the inside the vehicle of the fixed set.

The movable panel 12, in this case a window, carries two bolts cooperating respectively with the upper rails 13 and lower 14. A handle 15 can simultaneously control the two bolts, as detailed below. Of course, it is also possible to implement the invention with a single bolt, in the upper part or in the lower part.

The device is mounted so that the locking / unlocking movement of each bolt is inscribed in a plane parallel to that of the movable panel, and in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sliding. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel is movable horizontally and the locking / unlocking movement is vertical.

In the embodiment shown, the locking device of the invention comprises two bolts acting respectively in upper and lower parts of the movable panel 12, to cooperate with the rails 13 and 14, either directly or via one or several strikes defined in each rail. Of course, the invention can also be implemented in the case where a single bolt is present.

As illustrated by figure 2 , which shows a portion of the frame of the movable panel, carrying the locking device, the two bolts 21 and 22 are each connected by at least one cable 23, 24 to the means 25 for unlocking.

These unlocking means comprise a gear system here comprising three gear elements 251, 252 and 253, also called gear, for simplification. The gear 251 is a driving gear comprising two gear sectors capable of rotating the driven gears 252 and 253 to which the cables 23 and 24 are connected.

Thus, by rotating the driving gear 251, the driven gears 252 and 253, which each pull one of the cables, are driven simultaneously and contra-rotatively, thereby ensuring that the bolts 21 and 22 are unlocked.

The Figures 3A and 3B illustrate more precisely the unlocking means 25, respectively in the locked position and in the unlocked position.

Each driven gear 252 and 253 comprises, in an offset plane, a pulley element 31, 32 for hooking the end of one of the cables (respectively 23 and 24). Advantageously, these elements 31 and 32 also have a guide groove of the cable in an arc of a circle, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3B .

The rotational movement of these driven gears 252 and 253 is ensured by the rotation of the driving gear 251, whose movement is controlled by the fingers 33 and 34 which are integral with the handle, or actuating button, 35.

As illustrated on the figure 2 , the cables 23 and 24 are connected by their other end respectively to the bolts 21 and 22. It is understood that in the position of the figure 3B , the cables 23 and 24 were pulled, which unlocks the corresponding bolts. More specifically, the movement of the actuating button 35 (arrows 36 and 37) drives via the fingers 33 and 34, the displacement of the driving gear (arrow 37) and therefore, via the driven gears 252. and 253, the movement of the cables 23 and 24 (arrows 38 and 39).

The bolts 21 and 22 are associated with non-illustrated return springs, which tend to bring them back to the locked position. So, in the absence of action on the actuating button 35, these springs act on the cables 23 and 24 to return them to the illustrated position figure 3a . These cables drive the driven gears 252 and 253, and thus successively the driving gear 251, the fingers 33 and 34, and finally the actuating button 35. Fixed cable guiding elements relative to the frame of the movable panel, no represented, may also be provided.

Many actuating buttons can be provided to act on the driving gear by means of the fingers 33, 34. An example is illustrated on the Figures 4A and 4B , respectively in the locked position and in the unlocked position. This actuation button comprises two vanes 61, 62 mounted rotatably about an axis parallel to the cable in the locked position. The fingers 33 and 34 are also rotatable along this axis.

Resting ( Figure 4A ) Both pallets 61 and 62 are in the same plane, which is preferably the plane defined by the frame 63 of the panel. To unlock the panel, the user brings the two palettes closer to each other as shown in FIG. Figure 4B . It can then, in the same movement, slide the movable panel to the right as to the left. This technique therefore allows unlocking and sliding in the same manipulation.

Other mechanisms for actuating the carriages can of course be envisaged, such as translations of the actuating button, or a rotation thereof according to an axis perpendicular to the axis defined by the cable.

Claims (6)

1. Locking device for a sliding panel (12) of a motor vehicle, which is movable in relation to a fixed structure, the said device comprising at least one latch (21, 22) cooperating with at least one complementary locking element provided for that purpose on the said fixed structure, and being capable of being displaced along a locking axis in order to change from an unlocked state permitting a sliding movement of the said sliding panel (12) to a locked state in which it cooperates with one of the said complementary locking elements in order to prevent the said sliding movement, and vice versa,
   each of the said latches (21, 22) being integral with a first end of a cable (23, 24), the second end of which is integral with a driven gear (252, 253) driven by a driving gear (251) in order to bring about the changing of the said latch or latches (21, 22) from the said locked state to the said unlocked state, characterised in that the said driving gear (251) is actuated by two fingers (33, 34) which are integral with an actuating knob (35) and are displaced in opposite directions, the said actuating knob (35) imparting a rotational movement to each of the said fingers (33, 34) along an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to the said locking axis.
2. Locking device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises two latches (21, 22) which are distributed on either side of the said driving gear (251) and are each associated with a cable (23, 24) and with a driven gear (252, 253).
3. Locking device according to either of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises guide elements for the said cable or cables (23, 24), which are integral with the said fixed structure.
4. Locking device according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each of the said latches (21, 22) cooperates with return means which tend to bring it back into the said locked state.
5. Device for closing an opening in a motor vehicle, comprising at least one panel which is movable in sliding movement and which is movable in relation to a fixed structure, characterised in that it comprises a locking device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, the said locking device comprising at least one latch cooperating with at least one complementary locking element provided for that purpose on the said fixed structure, and being capable of being displaced along a locking axis in order to change from an unlocked state permitting a sliding movement of the said sliding panel to a locked state in which it cooperates with one of the said complementary locking elements in order to prevent the said sliding movement, and vice versa,
   each of the said latches being integral with a first end of a cable, the second end of which is integral with a driven gear driven by a driving gear in order to bring about the changing of the said latch or latches from the said locked state to the said unlocked state,
   the said driving gear being actuated by two fingers which are integral with an actuating knob and are displaced in opposite directions, the said actuating knob (35) imparting a rotational movement to each of the said fingers (33, 34) along an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to the said locking axis.
6. Motor vehicle, characterised in that it comprises at least one device for closing an opening in a motor vehicle comprising at least one panel which is movable in sliding movement and which is movable in relation to a fixed structure, the said movable panel carrying a locking device according to any of Claims 1 to 4, the said locking device comprising at least one latch cooperating with at least one complementary locking element provided for that purpose on the said fixed structure, and being capable of being displaced along a locking axis in order to change from an unlocked state permitting a sliding movement of the said sliding panel to a locked state in which it cooperates with one of the said complementary locking elements in order to prevent the said sliding movement, and vice versa,
   each of the said latches being integral with a first end of a cable, the second end of which is integral with a driven gear driven by a driving gear in order to bring about the changing of the said latch or latches from the said locked state to the said unlocked state,
   the said driving gear being actuated by two fingers which are integral with an actuating knob and are displaced in opposite directions, the said actuating knob (35) imparting a rotational movement to each of the said fingers (33, 34) along an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to the said locking axis.

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