EP1985784A1 - External release for opening an automobile door - Google Patents

Abstract

The control (4) has a handling unit for handling a pallet (12) mounted around a rotation axle (16) between rest and topple positions to grip an opening of a door. The pallet is associated to a lifting button (13), and a boss (21) is formed between the button and the pallet such that pushing of the button causes the pallet to pivot from its rest position. A locking lever (22) subjected to an action of pull off spring (24) is mounted under the pallet so as to maintain the locking of pallet when the button has a boss (25) cooperating with the lever to actuate the lever, and to release the pallet.

Description

The present invention relates, in general, the external opening controls of motor vehicle doors. More particularly, this invention relates to an external opening control of a motor vehicle side door, which may be either a front door or a rear door, which control is integrated and concealed in an amount, or close to an amount of the bodywork of the vehicle concerned, or in another part of this body, such as the rear quarter panel, adjacent to the door in question.

Side doors of motor vehicles are traditionally equipped with an opening control whose apparent part is a handle of general shape comparable to that of a refrigerator door handle. As examples of this state of the art, here can be cited the French patent application FR 2 882 386 in the name of the Applicant, or the European patent application EP 1 081 319 .

Such handles generally form significant growths on the sides of the vehicle body or, even if they are more or less recessed in the door panel, they remain very apparent.

In addition, the ergonomics of these traditional handles remains imperfect. Certainly, if the user accesses the handle by his hand on the same side as the door, he can with this one hand open the door and move it in rotation. By cons, if the user docking the handle with his hand farthest from the door, he will have to use both hands, one to open the door initially and the other to then rotate the door.

A current trend in the design of motor vehicles is to make the controls discreet, trying to hide them. In particular, with regard to the external door opening controls, it has already been proposed to conceal these controls by integrating them into the door frame, this by providing a pallet-like handle flush with an amount located at the door. rear of the window of the door considered. This type of solution has been applied, to date, on coupe-type motor vehicles and also on a few four-door vehicles. An example of an external door opening command of this kind can be found in the international patent application WO 2004/038137 .

However, such an external opening control is not totally concealable, because the pallet necessarily comprises a important central cutting intended for the introduction of the hand and the handling of this pallet. In addition, the ergonomics of such an external opening control is not the most correct, since it requires a twist of the wrist in a direction that is not natural for the human arm, which usually requires use both hands to open the door, namely: one hand to initially manipulate the opening control, then the other hand to complete the rotation of the door.

There is also another type of external opening control, which is completely concealed, as described in the US patent application US 2004/0177478 or its equivalent the European patent granted EP 1 402 138 B1 . Such an opening control is, at rest, completely concealed or retracted into the door and, after a button has been pushed or the proximity of a hand is detected, an electric motor moves the maneuvering pallet to the door. bring to a position that facilitates its grip. The opening control is not completely invisible, because it reveals externally a plastic part clearly visible on the bottom formed by the metal body. In addition, such an opening control requires a complex and expensive system of detection and electrical actuation, which is added to the opening mechanism itself.

To simplify the structure of the external opening controls of the type considered, while improving their ergonomics for the user, it has been further proposed to associate with the maneuvering pallet a mechanical lifting button disposed adjacent to this pallet. The lifting button has, like the pallet, a rest position flush with the body, and this lifting button is mechanically linked to the pallet so that a manual depression of said button causes a start of pivoting of the pallet to from his rest position. Thus, the outer opening control has at rest no protrusion and no interruption vis-à-vis the profile of the body, and a simple thumb pressure on the lift button causes a start of rotation of the pallet, which then allows the user to introduce his other fingers under the pallet to achieve its grip and continue the rotation of it. The complete rotation of the pallet causes the actuation of the internal mechanism of the control, for example the actuation of a return lever which, itself, pulls on a cable for opening the lock of the door concerned.

This last type of external opening control is disclosed, inter alia, in the French patent FR 979715 and in the Japanese patent application JP 60-47171 .

However, in the embodiments known from these documents, the pallet is only related to the lifting button by a direct mutual support, and there is no way that would block the pallet in the closed position, as long as the lift button is not pressed. There is thus a risk of inadvertent opening of the pallet, and therefore of the vehicle door concerned, under the action of an external element such as the force of the wind or the contact with a tree branch, and especially in case of lateral impact, the latter factor being important in the context of the approval of a motor vehicle.

Faced with this problem, the present invention aims to further improve the external opening controls of the type in question, with pallet and lifting button, so as to provide a secure embodiment capable, in particular, of preventing the door from opening. in case of side impact.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an external opening control of a motor vehicle door, in particular of a motor vehicle side door, this control being of the type of those integrated and concealed close to a body post. of the vehicle concerned, or of another part of this body, such as the rear quarter panel, the control comprising a pallet-type maneuvering member pivoted about an axis of rotation between a rest position flush with the bodywork and a tilted position for manual gripping to open the door, the pallet being coupled to an internal mechanism of the control, and to the pallet being associated a lift button disposed adjacent to the pallet, the button also having a rest position flush with the body, and a mechanical connection being made between the lifting button and the pallet of such that the depression of the lifting button causes the pallet to start to pivot from its rest position, this external opening control being characterized by the fact that a locking lever subjected to the action of a return spring is pivotally mounted under the pallet, keeping it locked, while the lifting button has a boss which cooperates with the locking lever to actuate the latter and thus release the pallet.

Thanks to these provisions, the pallet remains locked in the closed position, if the lifting button is not previously actuated, and only the depression of this button causes the unlocking of the pallet, allowing itself the opening of the door. These provisions therefore offer complete safety, particularly avoiding inadvertent opening due to an external element such as the force of the wind, or the contact of a tree branch or a side impact.

It should be noted that this safety aspect is obtained here simply and economically, based on the design of the outer opening control itself, unlike the conventional external opening controls which, for most of them, require a special system of balancing or blocking which is complex in structure and long to develop. In addition, this design prevents the elements are actuated unexpectedly under a strong acceleration.

A great simplicity of the entire control is obtained, in particular, by providing that the lift button is pivotally mounted about the same axis of rotation as the pallet, a rotational connection being made between the lift button and the pallet .

The appropriate choice of the zone of implantation of the external opening control, and the relative position (right or left side) of the pallet on the one hand and the lifting button on the other hand, vis-à-vis of the door concerned allows the user to achieve the entire opening, that is to say the depression of the lifting button followed by the gripping of the pallet and then the rotation of the door, of one hand. This implies, in particular, that in the case of mounting the external opening control at the window frame of the door concerned, the pallet is located on the side facing the window while the lift button is located at a distance of the window.

• Figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un véhicule automobile à quatre portes, équipées de commandes d'ouverture extérieures conformes à la présente invention ;
• Figure 2 est une vue partielle en perspective de la porte avant du véhicule de la figure 1, avec sa commande d'ouverture extérieure ;
• Figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée de cette commande d'ouverture extérieure, montrant ses divers composants ;
• Figure 4 est une vue en perspective de cette commande d'ouverture extérieure à l'état assemblé, vue depuis son côté intérieur ;
• Figure 5 représente, à plus grande échelle, le détail des mécanismes de la commande d'ouverture extérieure, notamment le dispositif de verrouillage de la palette ;
• Figure 6 est une vue en coupe et à échelle agrandie de cette commande, suivant VI-VI de figure 5 ;
• Figures 7, 8 et 9 sont des schémas en perspective illustrant l'utilisation de la commande d'ouverture extérieure selon les figures précédentes.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of example, one embodiment of this external opening control of a motor vehicle door:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a motor vehicle with four doors, equipped with external opening controls according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the front door of the vehicle of the figure 1 , with its external opening control;
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of this external opening control, showing its various components;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of this external opening control in the assembled state, seen from its inner side;
• Figure 5 represents, on a larger scale, the details of the mechanisms of the external opening control, in particular the locking device of the pallet;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of this command, according to VI-VI of figure 5 ;
• Figures 7, 8 and 9 are perspective diagrams illustrating the use of the outer opening control according to the preceding figures.

The figure 1 represents a motor vehicle with four doors, with two front side doors 2 and two rear side doors 3. These side doors are all equipped with external opening controls according to the invention, namely an opening command 4 for each door before 2, and an opening command 5 for each rear door 3. On each side of the vehicle, the opening control 4 of the front door 2 is located near the central upright 6 of the body, at the frame 7 of the window 8 of this door 2 (see also figure 2 ). Similarly, the opening control 5 of the rear door 3 is located near the rear pillar 9, at the frame of the window 10 of the door 3 (in the illustrated example where the vehicle still has a window of Custote 11 behind said door 3). Of course, in the case (not shown) of a vehicle with full quarter panel, the opening command 5 of the rear door 3 may be located near this quarter panel.

The figure 2 shows, more particularly, the external opening control 4 associated with the front door 2, this control 4 having externally a pallet 12 and a lifting button 13 disposed adjacent to the pallet 12 on the frame 7 of the window 8. The pallet 12 is on the side facing the window 8, while the lifting button 13 is at a distance from the window 8. In the example shown, a latch 14 is incorporated in the outer opening control 4 of the front door 2, the latch 14 being located here in a lower corner of the pallet 12 while the lifting button 13 is placed along the upper half of the pallet 12. In the rest position, the pallet 12 and the lifting button 13 occupy a flush position relative to the vehicle body, here more particularly with respect to the outer trim 15 frame 7 of the glass 8.

Referring to Figures 3 to 6 , is now described the internal structure of the outer opening control 4.

The pallet 12 is pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis of rotation 16, close to the rear edge of this pallet 12. The lifting button 13 is pivotally mounted about the same axis of rotation 16, located near the front edge of said knob 13 .

The pallet 12 has an inner boss 17 which cooperates with a return lever 18, rotatably mounted about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 19, the return lever 18 having an arm connected to one end of an actuating cable 20 remote to the lock (not shown) of the door 2 considered.

The lifting button 13 has internally, on the side of its axis of rotation 16, a first boss 21 provided to cooperate directly with the inner face of the pallet 12.

In addition, the outer opening control 4 comprises here a locking device of the pallet 12 consisting of a locking lever 22 pivotally mounted under the pallet 12 about a substantially vertical axis 23, a return spring 24 of this lever 22, and a second boss 25 of the lifting button 13, provided to cooperate with the locking lever 22 - see in particular the figure 6 .

Finally, the outer opening control 4 comprises an inner casing 26, which in particular receives and supports the latch 14 and which also supports the respective axes of rotation 19 and 23 of the return lever 18 and the locking lever 22.

In the rest position, as already mentioned, the pallet 12 and the lifting button 13 are flush with the bodywork, more particularly the hubcap 15 of the frame 7 of the window 8, as also shown in FIG. figure 7 . In this position, the pallet 12 remains blocked by the locking lever 22. This is the closed position of the door 2 considered.

When the user wishes to open this door 2, he first exerts a pressure of a finger, including a thumb on the lifting button 13, which causes a start of rotation of the button 13 about the axis 16. The depression of the button 13 firstly unlocks the pallet 12, by the action of the second boss 25 which, coming into contact with the locking lever 22, rotates the latter about its pivot axis 23 and releases the pallet 12 in rotation about its axis 16 (see figure 6 ). Then, the button 13 acts directly on the pallet 12 by its first boss 21, to initiate the pivoting of the pallet 12, now unlocked, about its axis of rotation 16. The pallet 12 thus reaches a partially deployed position towards the outside (see figure 8 ).

The user can then engage his other fingers under the pallet 12 and thus achieve the grip of the pallet 12, then in the same gesture continue the rotation of the pallet 12 to a maximum position of pivoting outwards (see figure 9 ). At the end of rotation of the pallet 12, the boss 17 of the latter acts on the return lever 18 which will cause the traction of the actuating cable 20, thus opening the lock of the door.

When the pallet 12 is released, it returns to the flush initial position, as well as the lifting button 13, under the effect of various means of reminders provided.

Aside from the absence of a lock, the structure and operation of the outer opening control 5 of the rear door 3 are in accordance with the foregoing description. Of course, the shapes and the style of the pallet 12 and the lifting button 13 of the external opening control 5 of the rear door 3 can be adapted, in particular according to the inclination or the curvature of the rear pillar 9 of the bodywork.

Also according to the vehicle designs, the hubcap 15 may be either snap-fastened to the inner casing 26 of the outer opening control 4 or 5, or mounted directly to the body panel.

One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims, by modifying the shape details of the components of this external opening control, in particular for their adaptation to the particular characteristics of the vehicles concerned. Thus, in particular, instead of mounting the lifting button and the pallet on a common axis of rotation, it is possible to mount the button on the one hand and the pallet on the other hand on rotation axes. parallel and located at a short distance from each other, but not confused as in the illustrated example.

Claims (5)

Motor vehicle door external opening control, in particular of a motor vehicle side door (2, 3), of the type integrated and concealed near an upright (6, 9) of the vehicle body concerned, or another part of this body, such as the quarter panel, the control (4,5) comprising a maneuver member of the pallet type (12) pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (16) between a position resting position on the body (15) and a tilted position for manual gripping for opening the door (2, 3), the pallet (12) being coupled to an internal mechanism (17 to 20) of the control (4,5), and the pallet (12) being associated with a lifting button (13) arranged adjacent to the pallet (12), the lifting button (13) also having a rest position in flush with the body (15), and a mechanical connection (21) being made between the butt lifting arm (13) and the pallet (12) in such a way that depressing the lifting button (13) causes the pallet (12) to begin to pivot from its rest position, characterized in that a locking lever (22) subjected to the action of a return spring (24) is pivotally mounted under the pallet (12), keeping it locked, while the lifting button (13) has a boss ( 25) which cooperates with the locking lever (22) to actuate the latter, and thus release the pallet (12). External opening control according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking knob (22) is pivotally mounted about a substantially vertical axis (23), a return spring (24) being provided for this lever (22). . External opening control according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting knob (13) is pivotally mounted about the same axis of rotation (16) as the pallet (12), and that rotation (21) is performed between the lift button (13) and the pallet (12). External opening control according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that , in the case of mounting the external opening control (4, 5) at the window frame (7) of the door ( 2,3), the pallet (12) is located on the side facing the window (8,10) while the lifting button (13) is located at a distance from the window (8, 10). External opening control according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lifting button (13) on the one hand and the pallet (12) on the other hand have reciprocal support means of the kind boss (21) providing direct actuation of the pallet (12) by said knob (13).

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