EP1893832B1 - Temporary closure device for an opening element on a fixed chassis part of a motor vehicle, comprising an improved return means - Google Patents

Abstract

A temporary closure device for an opening element on a fixed chassis part of a motor vehicle, in which the opening element includes a housing for receiving a lock and the fixed part includes at least one tapped hole for fixing a strike. The device includes a plastic body equipped with means for mounting it in the tapped hole. An end of the device includes a limit stop element that co-operates with a first rim of the housing as the opening element is closed, while another end of the device includes a means for retaining the opening element in the closed position against the fixed part, which is intended to penetrate the housing behind a second rim thereof. The retaining means is formed by a resilient tongue, which can bend under stress from the second rim when the opening element is moved from the free position to the closed position.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for temporarily closing an element opening on a fixed element of a bodywork of a motor vehicle.

The production lines of motor vehicles include paint lines of bodies that are provided with openings and in particular doors.

These doors are not yet equipped with closing devices or locks and it is therefore necessary to provide temporary and removable closure devices that maintain the opening in the closed position on the body during its transfer to the line of painting.

Until now, the temporary closure devices are mounted in place of the final lock by means of fasteners, such as screws.

These devices consist of metal parts which have a service life at least equal to the manufacturing time of the vehicles on which they are used. The metal parts may damage the body and / or paint during installation or removal and they must regularly undergo various cleaning treatments whose frequency depends on the speed of fouling at each passage in the paint lines.

After cleaning, the temporary closure devices must undergo a re-alignment operation on a control template.

In addition, the transfer of devices between the paint lines and the cleaning center requires transport infrastructure and significant investments.

There is also known a device for temporarily closing an element opening on a fixed element, as illustrated in the documents WO 03/004804 A and EP 931 895 B1 , solving the above drawbacks, simple and economical design, requiring no fastener which allows greater ease and greater speed of installation and removal of the device.

The device according to the document EP 931 895 B1 However, has the disadvantage of having a tab constituting a means for retaining the opening element which is subject to high stresses and deformations during closing of the opening element on the fixed element. The effort to overcome during this closure is important. In addition, the radius of curvature of said tongue can cause splinters of paint covering the device, which can be particularly troublesome impurities for the subsequent application of paint on the vehicle body.

The device according to the invention therefore aims to overcome the above drawbacks by proposing a device for temporarily closing an element opening on a fixed element of a bodywork of a motor vehicle, said opening element comprising a housing for receiving a lock and said fixed element comprising at least one tapped hole for fastening a striker, the device comprising a plastic body provided with mounting means in said threaded orifice and having, at a first end, a stop intended to cooperate with a first flange of the housing when closing the opening element and, at a second end, a means for retaining said opening element in its closed position against the fixed element, and intended to penetrate inside the housing behind a second rim of said housing, the retaining means being formed by an elastic tongue able to flex under the stress of the s flange when the opening member is moved from its free position to its closed position, the body being extended in its zone corresponding substantially to the base of the tongue by a plate suspended above a recessed area, the plate and the tongue being connected by an arch ensuring a flexible connection.

• l'arche est raccordée à la languette sensiblement en son milieu, et à la platine sensiblement à son extrémité libre,
• la platine est tournée dans une direction opposée à la première extrémité du dispositif,
• la languette et la platine forment un angle aigu,
• la languette, la platine et l'arche sont venues de matière avec le corps du dispositif,
• la languette comporte une extension plate tournée du côté de la première extrémité, ladite extension coopérant en contact par sa tranche avec le second rebord du logement, lors du déplacement de l'élément ouvrant de sa position libre vers sa position de fermeture,
• l'extension se situe dans un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan de la languette,
• l'extension a la forme générale d'un triangle dont un côté forme une rampe allant en s'écartant de la languette à mesure que l'on progresse de l'extrémité vers la base de ladite languette,
• l'extension est situé à l'extrémité de la languette,
• l'épaisseur de l'extension est inférieure à 2 mm,
• l'extension est rattachée à la languette sur une longueur comprise entre environ un quart et la moitié de la longueur de la languette,
• la languette comporte à sa base une partie évidée,
• la butée comporte un moyen d'absorption du choc dû au contact du premier rebord de l'élément ouvrant lors de sa fermeture sur l'élément fixe,
• le moyen d'absorption est constitué par une portion de matière suspendu par rapport au corps, de manière à pouvoir se déformer localement sous la contrainte du premier rebord de l'élément ouvrant,
• une ouverture est ménagée dans le corps du dispositif en le traversant de part en part,
• le corps comporte au-dessous de sa face inférieure une plaque s'étendant de part et d'autre du corps et perpendiculairement à ce corps, la surface inférieure de la plaque étant pourvue d'une pluralité de plots ménageant un espace entre la plaque et la surface d'appui correspondante de l'élément fixe,
• les plots ont une longueur de l'ordre de 1 mm, ménageant un espace équivalent entre la plaque et la surface d'appui correspondante de l'élément fixe,
• les plots sont répartis sur la périphérie de la surface inférieure de la plaque,
• le corps du dispositif comporte une cavité d'accrochage permettant le passage et le maintien d'un fil rigide à l'une de ses extrémités, le fil étant apte à maintenir à son autre extrémité l'élément ouvrant dans une position d'entrebâillement,
• le corps comporte un pion contribuant à assurer sa fixation sur l'élément fixe, par son introduction dans l'orifice taraudé, la cavité traversant le pion selon son axe longitudinal.

According to other preferred features of the device:

• the arch is connected to the tongue substantially in its middle, and to the plate substantially at its free end,
• the plate is turned in a direction opposite to the first end of the device,
• the tongue and the plate form an acute angle,
• the tongue, the plate and the arch came from material with the body of the device,
• the tongue has a flat extension turned towards the first end, said extension cooperating in contact with its edge with the second edge of the housing, during the displacement of the opening element from its free position to its closed position,
• the extension is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tongue,
• the extension has the general shape of a triangle of which one side forms a ramp going away from the tongue as one progresses from the end towards the base of said tongue,
• the extension is located at the end of the tongue,
• the thickness of the extension is less than 2 mm,
• the extension is attached to the tongue over a length of between about one quarter and one half of the length of the tongue,
• the tongue has at its base a recessed portion,
• the abutment comprises means for absorbing the shock due to contact with the first rim of the opening element when it is closed on the fixed element,
• the absorption means is constituted by a portion of material suspended relative to the body, so as to be able to locally deform under the constraint of the first rim of the opening element,
• an opening is formed in the body of the device, passing right through it,
• the body comprises beneath its lower face a plate extending on either side of the body and perpendicular to this body, the lower surface of the plate being provided with a plurality of studs providing a space between the plate and the corresponding bearing surface of the fixed element,
• the studs have a length of the order of 1 mm, providing an equivalent space between the plate and the corresponding bearing surface of the fixed element,
• the studs are distributed on the periphery of the lower surface of the plate,
• the body of the device comprises a hooking cavity allowing the passage and the maintenance of a rigid wire at one of its ends, the wire being able to maintain at its other end the opening element in a half-open position,
• the body comprises a pin contributing to ensure its attachment to the fixed element, by its introduction into the threaded orifice, the cavity passing through the pin along its longitudinal axis.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective de la face interne d'un élément ouvrant destiné à être maintenu en position de fermeture par le dispositif de fermeture provisoire,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un élément fixe d'une carrosserie destiné à recevoir le dispositif de fermeture provisoire,
• les figures 3A, 3B et 3C sont des vues respectivement de face, de côté et en perspective du dispositif de fermeture provisoire selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en perspective du dispositif de fermeture provisoire selon l'invention, monté sur l'élément fixe.
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique en perspective du dispositif de fermeture provisoire selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention contre lequel l'élément ouvrant est disposé en butée, l'élément ouvrant étant ainsi dans la position de fermeture,
• les figures 6A, 6B et 6C sont des vues en section selon la ligne de coupe A-A représentée à la figure 3A, illustrant la séquence des opérations lors de la fermeture de l'élément ouvrant sur l'élément fixe.
• les figures 7A et 7B sont des vues en perspective du dispositif de fermeture provisoire selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention sur lequel est monté un moyen écarteur permettant de maintenir là porte à distance du dispositif.

Other features and advantages of the invention as defined by the claims will appear on reading the description which follows and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the inner face of an opening element intended to be held in the closed position by the temporary closure device,
• the figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a fixed element of a bodywork intended to receive the temporary closure device,
• the FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are respectively front, side and perspective views of the temporary closure device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the temporary closure device according to the invention, mounted on the fixed element.
• the figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the temporary closure device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention against which the opening element is disposed in abutment, the opening element thus being in the closed position,
• the FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are sectional views along the section line AA shown in FIG. figure 3A , illustrating the sequence of operations when closing the opening element on the fixed element.
• the Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of the temporary closure device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention on which is mounted a spacer means for keeping the door remote from the device.

In the figures, there is shown a temporary closure device 10 of an opening element 1 on a fixed element 5 of a body of a motor vehicle.

Indeed, the production lines of motor vehicles include paint lines of bodies that are provided with the opening elements, such as doors.

These opening elements are not yet equipped with closing devices or locks and it is therefore necessary to provide temporary and removable closure devices that keep the opening elements in the closed position on the body.

As represented in figure 1 , the opening element 1 which is constituted in the embodiment represented by a door, comprises a housing 2 for receiving a lock.

The housing 2 is formed by a cut made on the inner face of the opening element 1 and comprises in particular a flange 3 extending perpendicularly to the plane of the opening element 1 and a flange 4 extending parallel to the plane of said opening element 1.

These flanges 3 and 4 are intended to cooperate with the temporary closure device 10, as will be seen later. As represented in figure 2 , the fixed element on which the opening element 1 is intended to be applied in the closed position, comprises at least one threaded orifice 6 for receiving a keeper.

In the embodiment shown in figure 2 the fixed element 5 has two tapped and parallel holes 6.

In addition, the fixed element 5 comprises in the axis of each threaded orifice 6 a recess 7.

In general, the temporary closure device 10 shown in FIGS. FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C comprises a plastic body 11 provided with mounting means in the threaded orifices 6 and having, at a first end 11a, a stop 18 intended to cooperate with the rim 3 of the housing 2 during the closure of the opening element 1 and at a second end 11b disposed above the body of the device, a means for retaining the opening element 1 in its closed position against the fixed element and intended to penetrate inside the housing 2 behind the rim 4.

The body 11 comprises below its lower face a plate 12 extending on either side of the body 11 and perpendicular to the body 11, thus forming lateral wings for fixing the device 10 on the fixed element 5.

In this embodiment, the mounting means of the temporary closure device 10 on the fixed element 5 comprise fasteners formed, on the one hand, by a pin 13 disposed below the plate 12, and on on the other hand by a screw 17-came matter with the body of the device and connected thereto by lugs (captive screw). The screw 17 is essentially located above the plate 12, ready to be screwed and to pass through the plane of said plate 12. The pin 13 and the screw 17 are arranged substantially parallel, each on a corresponding flange of the plate 12 and separated by the body 11.

The pin 13 and the screw may be arranged at the ends of the lateral wings of the plate 12.

The pin 13 has at its free end a centering cone 15 in the corresponding threaded hole 6, or a rounded surface having the same effect. Similarly, the screw 17 comprises at its tip a centering cone or a rounded surface for the same purpose.

The mounting means also comprise interlocking members in the recesses 7 and which consist of two shoulders 16 each disposed below the plate 12 in the corresponding axis of the pin 13 and the screw 17.

The pin 13 has a smooth guide surface and a cavity 14 allowing the passage of a tool, such as a spacer means 30, for holding the opening element 1 away from the device 10 (FIG. Figures 7A and 7B ). The pawn 13 can be either completely cylindrical or half cylindrical as shown in FIG. figure 3B .

The end 11a of the device has a substantially rounded shape, extending over the height of the body 11, so as to constitute a guide means of the flange 3 of the housing 2 which straddles the body 11 when closing the element opening 1.

In addition, the stop 18 of the device 10 comprises a shock absorbing means due to contact with the first rim 3 of the opening element 1 when it is closed on the fixed element 5. This means consists of a portion of material suspended relative to the body 11 of the device 10, so as to be locally deformed and wear the elastic properties of the material. In the embodiment described, an opening 11d is formed in the body 11 of the device 10 passing right through it. Thus the stop 18 is formed by the center of the suspended portion.

The means for retaining the opening element 1 on the fixed element 5 is formed by a substantially flat elastic tongue 19 extending above the body 11 at an inclination of the order of 15 and 30 ° with respect to the plane vertical axis, defined by the axes of the pin 13 and the screw 17 ( figure 3B ). The inclination of the tongue is defined in the direction opposite to the first end 11a of the device 10.

As shown on the FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C , tab 19 comprises a flat extension 19a perpendicular to the plane of the tongue 19, turned towards the first end 11a, that is to say the opposite side to the closing direction of the opening element (1). The extension 19a cooperates in contact with its edge 19b with the second flange 4 of the housing 2, during the displacement of the opening element 1 from its free position to its closed position.

It will be noted that the extension 19a may have the general shape of a triangle, one side of which forms a ramp going away from the tab 19 as one progresses from the end towards the base of said tongue 19. This ramp is intended to come into contact with the second flange 4 of the opening element during the displacement of the element opening from its free position, so that the contact area is reduced to the maximum.

This instantaneous contact zone, during the displacement of the opening element 1 is almost point-like, which facilitates the sliding of the flange 4 and starts the least possible paint when the device 10 is already covered with paint and it is again brought into contact with the opening element 1 when the latter is closed again.

Reminder means are also provided between the tongue 19 and the body 11 of the device so as to assist the tongue 19 in the return to its initial position after having been stressed in deformation under the constraint of the opening element 1. The body 11 of the device 10 is extended in its zone substantially corresponding to the base of the tongue 19, by a plate 20, parallel to the plate 12, suspended above a recessed area.

This plate 20 constitutes a secondary tongue intended to take up part of the stresses and the deformation of the tongue 19. To do this, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3B , the tongue 19 and the plate 20 are connected by an arch 21 providing a flexible connection. The arch 21 is connected to the tongue 19 in the middle, and the plate 20 at its free end. The flexion of the tongue 19 is as limited as the stresses and the deformation are distributed over various parts of the device 10.

Before the passage through the painting line of the bodywork on which the opening elements 1 have been previously mounted, the fixed elements 5 of this body intended to receive the opening elements 1 when they are closed, are each equipped with a closing device provisional 10.

For this, the operator engages the centering cones 15 of the pin 13 in the threaded hole 6 corresponding to the fixed element 5 and exerts a pressure on the body 11 so that, on the one hand, the pin 13 penetrates in a threaded orifice 6 and, on the other hand, each shoulder 16 fits into a recess 7 formed on the fixed element 5.

Preferably, the recesses 7 have a square shape and the shoulders 16 have a cylindrical shape.

The body 11 is applied to the fixed element 5 so that the lower face 11c of this body 11 comes into contact with the fixed element 5, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .

The operator first engages the pin 13 in the corresponding tapped hole 6 and then this operator screws the screw 17 in the other tapped hole 6.

Moreover, as is visible on Figures 3A and 3B The lower surface 11c of the plate 12 may be equipped with small studs intended to provide a slight space between the plate 12 and the corresponding bearing surface of the fixed element 1. This space makes it possible to facilitate the flow of liquid ( surface treatment and anticorrosion) and to avoid sticking, in anticipation of dismantling the device 10.

As represented in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C when closing the opening element 1 carried out manually or automatically, in the direction of movement of the arrow D ( Figure 6A ), the rim 3 of the housing 2 formed in this opening member 1 gradually comes into contact with the abutment of the end 11a of the device 10 by overlapping the body of the latter, thereby ensuring an automatic adjustment of the body 11 relative to the housing 2.

Then, continuing to exert a thrust on the opening element 1, the flange 4 of the housing 2 bends the tongue 19, so that the rim 4 passes behind said tongue 19, as shown in FIG. figure 6 .

In addition, the rim 3 of the housing 2 abuts against the surface of the end 11a ( Figure 6B ).

Then, the tab 19 resumes its initial position thanks to its elasticity and ensures the locking of the rim 4 and consequently of the opening element 1.

To increase the locking force of the opening element 1 on the fixed element 5 by the temporary closure device 10, it is sufficient to increase the width of the elastic tongue 19.

When opening the opening element 1 which can be carried out manually or automatically, the elastic tab 19 flexes in the opposite direction so as to let the flange 4 which allows the opening of the opening element 1.

To remove the temporary closure device 10 from the fixed element 5, the operator first unscrews the screw 17 and then exerts a pull on the body 11 so as to release the pin 13 from the threaded orifice 6.

The temporary closure device according to the invention avoids any deterioration of the paint and / or body during its installation or removal.

Claims (20)

1. Device for provisionally closing an opening element (1) on a fixed element (5) of a motor vehicle body, the said opening element (1) comprising a housing (2) designed to receive a lock and the said fixed element (5) comprising at least one tapped orifice (6) for the attachment of a catch, the device comprising a body (11) made of plastic furnished with means (13; 16; 17) for mounting in the said tapped orifice (6) and comprising, at a first end (11a), a stop (18) designed to interact with a first edge (3) of the housing (2) when the opening element (1) is closed and, at a second end (11b), a means (19) for the retention of the said opening element (1) in its closed position against the fixed element (5), and designed to penetrate the inside of the housing (2) behind a second edge (4) of the said housing (2), the retention means being formed by an elastic tongue (19) capable of bending under the stress of the second edge (4) when the opening element (1) is moved from its free position to its closed position, characterized in that the body (11) is extended in its zone corresponding substantially to the base of the tongue (19) by a plate (20) suspended above a recessed zone, the plate (20) and the tongue (19) being connected by an arch (21) ensuring a flexible connection.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arch (21) is connected to the tongue (19) substantially in its middle, and to the plate (20) substantially at its free end.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plate (20) is turned in a direction opposite to the first end (11a) of the device (10).
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (19) and the plate (20) form an acute angle.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (19), the plate (20) and the arch (21) are made in one piece with, and of the same material as, the body (11) of the device.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (19) comprises a flat extension (19a) turned on the side of the first end (11a), the said extension (19a) interacting in contact via its edge (19b) with the second edge (4) of the housing (2) when the opening element (1) moves from its free position to its closed position.
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the extension (19a) is situated in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the tongue (19).
8. Device according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the extension (19a) has the general shape of a triangle one side of which forms a ramp going away from the tongue (19) moving from the end to the base of the said tongue (19).
9. Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the extension (19a) is situated at the end of the tongue (19).
10. Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the thickness of the extension (19a) is less than 2 mm.
11. Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the extension (19a) is attached to the tongue (19) over a length of between approximately a quarter and half of the length of the tongue (19).
12. Device according to any one of Claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the tongue (19) comprises a recessed portion at its base.
13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (18) comprises a means of absorbing the impact due to the contact of the first edge (3) of the opening element (1) when it is closed on the fixed element (5) .
14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the absorption means consists of a portion of material suspended relative to the body (11), so as to be able to deform locally under the stress of the first edge (3) of the opening element (1).
15. Device according to Claim 14, characterized in that an opening (11d) is arranged in the body (11) of the device (10) passing right through it.
16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (11) comprises, beneath its lower face, a plate (12) extending on either side of the body (11) and perpendicularly to this body (11), the lower surface (11c) of the plate (12) being provided with a plurality of pads (16) arranging a space between the plate (12) and the corresponding bearing surface of the fixed element (5).
17. Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the pads (16) have a length, of the order of 1 mm, arranging an equivalent space between the plate (12) and the corresponding bearing surface of the fixed element (5).
18. Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the pads (16) are distributed over the periphery of the lower surface (11c) of the plate (12) .
19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (11) of the device (10) comprises a coupling cavity (14) allowing the passage and retention of a rigid wire (30) at one of its ends, the wire (30) being capable of holding at its other end the opening element (1) in a partially open position.
20. Device according to Claim 20, characterized in that the body (11) comprises a post (13) helping to provide its attachment to the fixed element (5), by its insertion into the tapped orifice (6), the cavity (14) passing through the pin (13) on its longitudinal axis.

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