EP4311905A1 - Coupling device with integrated clearance compensation - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for closing a bay in a structure comprises or cooperates with a support (7) intended to receive a drive device (8) and to be fixed to said structure. The support (7) comprises a plate (10), intended to be fixed on said structure and receive said drive device (8) and a cover (12), receiving a coupling portion (60) of a means of transmission (6) to the bay. The support (7) is capable of assuming at least one free state, in which the cover (12) and the plate (10) are free in translation relative to each other, in an adjustment direction substantially parallel to a direction defined by said coupling portion of said transmission means; and a blocked state, in which the cover (12) and the plate (10) are stationary relative to each other.

Description

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of equipping bays, used in particular in motor vehicles.

More specifically, the invention relates to devices for closing a bay provided in a structural element, for example the bodywork of a vehicle or a door of the vehicle, and comprising a sliding mobile part capable of releasing or closing a opening offering a flush appearance, seen from the outside.

The invention can in particular equip different types of structures, such as cars, camper vans, coaches and buses, minibuses, trucks, vans, boats, caravans, etc.

Such devices, developed for several years by the holder of the present application, are known in particular under the term "bay flush".

In other words, these devices are designed so as to present, seen from the outside, a flush or quasi-flush appearance between the bodywork, or more generally the wall or structure, and the fixed part of the device.

2. Prior art

The general principle of this technique is described in particular in the patent documents EP-0 778 168 And EP-0 857 844 .

The shutter device (hereinafter called "flush bay") comprises a fixed part and a movable part relative to this fixed part, or sliding panel.

The mobile part is connected to the fixed part by functional elements which ensure the required mobility and which are attached to the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle.

These functional elements, or rails, provide a guiding and holding function for the mobile panel. They are placed on the face facing the interior of the vehicle, sufficiently far from the edges, or the periphery, of the fixed part so that this periphery can be secured directly to the edges of the bay, without that the rails do not interfere. We can thus get rid of the presence of a connecting frame between the edges of the bay and the fixed part.

This fixed part can be made of one or more elements (placed next to each other in the same plane), for example in glass or polycarbonate.

Such a flush bay can thus be mounted entirely independently of the vehicle, and attached, from the outside, in the housing defined for this purpose by the bay, or the housing, defined in the bodywork, or more generally in the wall.

The edges of the fixed part are secured, for example using a bead of glue, to the edges of the bay, without any other intermediate connecting element.

Aesthetically, the flush bay presents, seen from the outside, a smooth, flush appearance, due to the fact that no frame is necessary on the contour of the opening formed in the fixed assembly.

To ensure the movement of the movable part, generally constituted by a transparent panel, a guide device is therefore provided comprising a first and a second guide rails fixedly mounted on the fixed part (or fixed structure) of the bay, on both sides other side of the opening closed by the movable panel.

The movable panel is mounted, by means of shuttles, on the rails, to slide for example in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) open position and a closed position, in which it closes the opening.

The mobile panel is moved, depending on the implementation, manually or using a motor. In the latter case, the motor, typically an electric motor, is generally distant from the flush bay. More precisely, the motor is mounted on the structure of the vehicle (on a part of the chassis or in the box of a door, for example) and connected to the mobile panel via a transmission means, in order to control the moving the movable panel between a closed position and one or more open positions. The transmission means is elongated, which allows the motor to be mounted offset from the flush bay. The transmission means can in particular be in the form of a crenellated cable (called push-pull cable), generally housed in a sheath, connected to the electric motor of the motor group so as to pull or push the mobile panel. The transmission means can also be in the form of a rack, for example.

The motor is thus separated and distant from the bay shutter device, and connected to the latter via the transmission means. It is received on a support secured to the structure (for example bodywork or door) of the vehicle. Thus, the "flush bay" system (including the support and the transmission means) can be constructed and supplied by a first actor, and then assembled and mounted in the vehicle by the manufacturer of said vehicle, who fixes the shutter device to the edges of the bay and fixes the support and the motor it receives to the structure.

However, mounting the motor to the bracket is not without its problems. Indeed, this assembly can be disrupted by a certain number of plays resulting in particular from the relative position between the support and the rest of the shutter device. These clearances, if they are not compensated, generate overstresses within the shutter device, harming its proper functioning or even deteriorating it.

Indeed, to ensure proper operation (opening and closing of the mobile panel, in particular good transmission of the forces from the drive device to the shuttle), the support must be located at a sufficiently precise position relative to the rest of the shutter device. to ensure the proper transmission of forces from the drive device. If this distance is not respected, the transmission means may lack tension, or on the contrary be too tight, which harms the transmission of forces by the actuating device (i.e. the motor). For example, in the case of a transmission means comprising a cable housed in a rigid sheath, this relatively precise position results in particular from the dimensions of the relatively rigid sheath in which the cable circulates.

However, the precise adjustment of this position, because the shutter device is fixed to the structure both via the fixed part (at the bay) and, for its motor, via the support, on a predetermined location of the gross structure of the vehicle, or "body in white" (BIW) according to usual English terminology. This predetermined location on the structure is subject to a certain tolerance over which the manufacturer of the shutter device has no control. In addition, the bonding of the lower rail (on which the movable part of the shutter device is mounted in translation) also generates a certain play. Finally, in the case of a cable type transmission means in a rigid sheath, the sheath may also have some play.

Thus, the relative position between the support and the rest of the shutter device is not data which can be controlled by the manufacturer of the shutter device, and the tolerance on this relative position generates a certain play which can be detrimental to the transmission mechanism of the drive device (for example the motor) towards the movable part of the shutter device. This is all the more the case since in practice, the overall clearance can exceed a centimeter in extreme cases.

The manufacturer is therefore required to modify the position, adjust or move the support on the structure, or to force on the rigid sheath. The first approach is complex, and sometimes harmful to good solidarity in the long term. The second harms the proper functioning of the shutter device.

In addition, this adjustment is generally not easy, and requires the use of specific tools.

There is therefore a need to compensate for this play in a simpler manner and if possible integrated into the coupling device.

The invention improves the situation.

3. Summary of the invention

The technique of the invention makes it possible to resolve at least some of the drawbacks raised by the prior art. More precisely, the proposed technique relates to a device for closing a bay provided in a structure, the closing device comprising a fixed part, in which an opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel guided along two guide rails mounted on one face of said fixed part, between a closed position, closing said opening, and at least one open position, at least one of said guide rails guiding in translation a shuttle ensuring the passage of the panel movable from said shutter position to said at least one open position, and vice versa, said shuttle being intended to be connected to a drive device offset from said shuttle and connected to the shuttle via a means of transmission.

• une première partie, appelée platine, destinée à être fixée sur ladite structure et recevoir ledit dispositif d'entrainement, et
• une deuxième partie, appelée couvercle, recevant une portion d'accouplement dudit moyen de transmission,

le couvercle étant monté sur la platine de façon à ce que le support soit apte à prendre au moins deux états :

• un état libre, dans lequel le couvercle et la platine sont libres en translation l'un par rapport à l'autre, selon une direction de réglage sensiblement parallèle à une direction définie par ladite portion d'accouplement dudit moyen de transmission ;
• un état bloqué, dans lequel le couvercle et la platine sont immobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre.

According to the invention, the shutter device comprises or cooperates with a support intended to receive said drive device, the support being intended to be fixed to said structure and comprising two parts:

• a first part, called plate, intended to be fixed on said structure and receive said training device, and
• a second part, called a cover, receiving a coupling portion of said transmission means,

the cover being mounted on the plate so that the support is able to assume at least two states:

• a free state, in which the cover and the plate are free in translation relative to each other, in an adjustment direction substantially parallel to a direction defined by said coupling portion of said transmission means;
• a blocked state, in which the cover and the plate are stationary relative to each other.

Thus, the cover and the plate are adjustable in translation relative to each other in the free state, and fixed in the blocked state.

The free state makes it possible to adjust the relative position of the drive device (received by the plate) relative to the transmission means (received by the cover), hereinafter called cover/plate translation. The cover/plate translation thus authorized makes it possible to compensate for any play in the direction of adjustment, whether induced by the structure or by the drive device (for example a motor). This clearance compensation makes it possible to maintain the transmission means at its nominal length, whereby the preloads within the mechanism are limited. For example, in the case of a transmission means in the form of a belt, it can thus be tensioned thanks to the adjustment offered by the support. Alternatively, the transmission means can be a cable, and the play compensation makes it possible to keep this cable under tension.

The blocked state allows the plate and the cover to be fixed, whereby the drive device can transmit forces to the transmission means and, ultimately, to the shuttle.

This clearance compensation support thus obtained makes it possible to assemble the shutter device as a whole, support included, without losing the cover/plate translation as long as the shutter device is not mounted on the structure ( ie in a vehicle), the cover and the plate being in the free state (or pre-mounted state of the support). When the support is placed on the structure, this adjustment remains, thus making it possible to mount the drive device on the support and the support on the structure by compensating for any play. Once the drive device is fixed, the cover and the plate are then placed in the blocked state (or mounted state support), and can no longer translate. This blocking thus allows the proper transmission of forces from the drive device to the shuttle via the transmission means, making the shutter device operational. The cover and the plate can thus be blocked by the mounting of the drive device (for example the motor) when the latter is fixed to the plate.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, said plate and said cover are connected by at least one retaining member formed on one of said parts and movable in an oblong hole formed in the other of said parts, authorizing said translation in said state free.

The retaining member maintains the assembled support, that is to say that the cover and the plate are mounted one on top of the other in their respective operating positions, modulo the authorized clearance compensation. More precisely, the plate and the cover are held close to each other by the retaining member, without impeding good adjustment in translation thanks to the oblong hole in which the retaining member is movable.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, at least one of said retaining members is a clip engaging with the oblong hole so as to maintain said parts linked to one another without preventing said translation in said free state.

The retaining member takes the form of a clip, which greatly simplifies the assembly of the cover and the plate. All you have to do is “clip” the cover onto the plate (or vice versa) to mount the support while allowing the cover/plate to move. This clipping can be carried out after having mounted inside the support the elements relating to the transmission between the shuttle and the drive device (in particular the transmission means and any part used to couple it to the drive device).

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, said plate receives a toothed wheel driving said transmission means and driven by the drive device, the axis of the toothed wheel passing through an oblong hole formed in said cover so as to allow said translation in said free state.

The gear receives the output of the drive device (e.g. the shaft of a motor), while remaining movable in the direction of adjustment within the carrier. This thus makes it possible to receive the drive device in translation and to couple it to the transmission means while making it possible to compensate for any play in the direction of adjustment.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, said plate carries at least two barrels projecting from the plate, each passing through an oblong hole formed in said cover so as to guide the cover in translation relative to the plate in said free state.

The barrels, or fingers, allow not only to receive screws to fix the motor on the plate, but also to guide the cover/plate translation thanks to the grip of each finger in the corresponding oblong hole. The guidance thus obtained improves the robustness of the support, but also the precision of the clearance compensation in the direction of adjustment, since the guidance eliminates the movement of the plate relative to the cover (and vice versa) in the other directions.

The dual function of guiding and fixing also allows the support to be more compact.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the transmission means comprises a cable housed in a sheath, one end of which is mounted on the cover, said end of the sheath ending in a flared, trumpet-shaped portion, blocked in said cover and free in translation relative to said plate, in said free state.

The cable thus housed in a rigid sheath can transmit very significant forces, because the sheath ensures their good transmission in the direction of transmission. The flared portion offers simple assembly of the rigid sheath in the cover, without sacrificing the possibility of adjusting the plate in translation relative to the cover.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the plate and the cover are connected by a gripping portion arranged to block the translation of the plate relative to the cover in the blocked state.

The gripping portion allows, when the support is in the blocked state, to grip the translation. This seizure allows the drive device to transmit by means transmission of significant forces, while allowing greater fineness of adjustment of the relative position between the cover and the plate compared to what would be possible with a single fixed stop. The gripping portion is also simpler in design than an adjustable stop.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the transition from said free state to said blocked state is obtained by applying pressure to said cover against said plate in a direction orthogonal to the adjustment direction, so that the seizing portion causes a seizure of said translation of the plate relative to the cover in the adjustment direction.

Switching to the blocked state by applying this pressure makes it possible to bind the translation (therefore setting the desired setting) as soon as the support is sandwiched between the structure and the drive device. Thus, in the case where the support is intended to be placed between the structure and the drive device, seizure is necessarily obtained when assembling the shutter device. This dual function of assembly and gripping thus reduces the number of steps in the assembly process of the shutter device as a whole.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, said pressure is applied by said screws.

Obtaining pressure through the screws allows you to obtain very high pressure, which improves the force of the seizure. This makes it possible to obtain this pressure during the assembly of the shutter device to the structure, the assembly comprising screwing the drive device onto the support (or screwing the support to the structure).

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, said seizing portion comprises locking elements formed on the cover and on the plate, facing each other in the free state and engaging with each other in said state blocked, so as to prevent said translation.

Obtaining the seizure by complementarity of shape makes it possible to obtain a seizure capable of withstanding very significant forces, while maintaining great mechanical simplicity of the support and simple assembly.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the blocking elements comprise at least one pair of sets of grooves extending substantially perpendicular to said adjustment direction.

The ridges offer fine granularity in the choice of possible positions for seizure (compared to coarser shapes). The compensation adjustment for the plate/cover clearance is therefore finer. The grooves also provide a seizure capable of resisting significant forces compared to seizure by friction between two flat surfaces.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the blocking elements comprise at least one set of grooves formed on one of the parts of the support and the other part has a ductile surface, the grooves biting into the ductile surface in said blocked state , so as to prevent said translation.

The grooves/ductile surface connection offers great finesse in the positioning of the plate and the cover, without granularity. This also makes it possible to resist significant forces due to the biting of the grooves (playing the role of teeth) in the surface.

According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the blocking elements comprise textured surfaces, formed on the plate or the cover, the two textured surfaces engaging in said blocked state, so as to prevent said translation.

The use of two textured surfaces offers great finesse in the positioning of the plate and the cover. In addition, the seizure being obtained by simple friction, there is no deformation of the material during the assembly when the cover is compressed against the plate, which allows the compensation of the cover/plate clearance to be modified if necessary. .

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one shutter device like that described above.

• réception d'un dispositif d'obturation dont le support est dans l'état libre ;
• solidarisation de la partie fixe dudit dispositif d'obturation aux bords de ladite baie ;
• solidarisation de la platine dudit support à ladite structure ;
• réglage de la position dudit couvercle par rapport audit support de façon que ledit moyen d'entrainement soit placé de façon adéquate par rapport à ladite navette ;
• blocage dudit support, par passage de ladite position libre à ladite position bloquée.

The invention finally relates to a method of assembling this shutter device described above, the method comprising the steps of:

• receipt of a shutter device whose support is in the free state;
• securing the fixed part of said shutter device to the edges of said bay;
• securing the plate of said support to said structure;
• adjusting the position of said cover relative to said support so that said drive means is adequately placed relative to said shuttle;
• blocking of said support, by moving from said free position to said blocked position.

Thus, in the context of mounting the shutter device, the free state corresponds to a pre-assembly state (i.e. the state in which the operator in charge of assembly receives the shutter device) and the blocked state corresponds to an mounted state, in which the shutter device is operational.

4. List of Figures

• [Fig. 1] représente une vue générale d'un exemple de dispositif d'obturation selon l'invention,
• [Fig. 2] représente un éclaté d'un exemple de support du dispositif d'obturation de la figure 1,
• [Fig. 3] représente le dispositif d'obturation monté de la figure 2,
• [Fig. 4] représente une vue en perspective du dessous du support de la figure 2, sans platine,
• [Fig. 5] représente une vue de dessus du support de la figure 3, sans couvercle,
• [Fig. 6] représente une vue de dessus du support de la figure 3, avec couvercle,
• [Fig. 7] représente une vue en perspective d'un exemple de portion de grippage du support de la figure 6,
• [Fig. 8] représente une vue en coupe un exemple de portion de grippage du support de la figure 6 selon la ligne A-A, le support étant dans une première configuration,
• [Fig. 9] représente le détail de la figure 8, le support étant dans une deuxième configuration,
• [Fig. 10] représente le détail de la figure 8, le support étant dans une troisième configuration,
• [Fig. 11] représente une vue en coupe d'un exemple d'organe de retenue du support de la figure 6, vu en coupe selon la ligne B-B, et
• [Fig. 12] représente une vue en coupe du support de la figure 5 selon la section C-C, et
• [Fig. 13] représente un organigramme simplifié d'un procédé de montage du dispositif d'obturation de la figure 1.

The proposed technique, as well as the various advantages it presents, will be more easily understood, in the light of the description which follows of two illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, and the appended drawings among which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] represents a general view of an example of a shutter device according to the invention,
• [ Fig. 2 ] represents an exploded view of an example of support for the shutter device of the figure 1 ,
• [ Fig. 3 ] represents the shutter device mounted on the figure 2 ,
• [ Fig. 4 ] represents a perspective view from below the support of the figure 2 , without platinum,
• [ Fig. 5 ] represents a top view of the support of the Figure 3 , without lid,
• [ Fig. 6 ] represents a top view of the support of the Figure 3 , with lid,
• [ Fig. 7 ] represents a perspective view of an example of a seizing portion of the support of the Figure 6 ,
• [ Fig. 8 ] represents a sectional view an example of a seizing portion of the support of the Figure 6 along line AA, the support being in a first configuration,
• [ Fig. 9 ] represents the detail of the figure 8 , the support being in a second configuration,
• [ Fig. 10 ] represents the detail of the figure 8 , the support being in a third configuration,
• [ Fig. 11 ] represents a sectional view of an example of a retaining member of the support of the Figure 6 , seen in section along line BB, and
• [ Fig. 12 ] represents a sectional view of the support of the Figure 5 according to section CC, and
• [ Fig. 13 ] represents a simplified flowchart of a method of mounting the shutter device of the figure 1 .

5. Detailed description of the invention

We subsequently illustrate different embodiments of the proposed technique, treated as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, in support of the figures 1 to 12 .

5.1. General principle

Reference is made to the figure 1 , which represents an example of a shutter device 1 according to the invention. The closing device 1 aims to close an opening in a structure. The structure is typically the body or door of a vehicle.

The shutter device 1 comprises a fixed part 2 in which an opening is defined. The shutter device 1 further comprises at least one sliding movable panel 3 guided along two guide rails 4 mounted on one face of said fixed part 2. The movable panel 3 is movable between a closed position, closing said opening , and at least one opening position (partially or totally releasing the opening).

One of the rails 4 (here, the rail located in the lower part) guides in translation a shuttle 5 ensuring the passage of the movable panel 3 from said closed position to said at least one open position, and vice versa.

Said shuttle 5 is intended to be connected to a training device (not shown on the figure 1 ) offset relative to said shuttle 5 and connected to it via a transmission means 6. The drive device is coupled to the transmission means 6 via a support 7, at the level of a coupling portion 60 of the transmission means 6.

Reference is now made to the figure 2 and to the Figure 3 .

In the example described here, the transmission means 6 comprises a cable 62 housed in a rigid sheath 64. The cable 62 is here provided with a serration (not shown in the figures), intended to engage with a toothed wheel .

The support 7 is intended to receive the training device. The support 7 is also intended to be fixed to the structure of the vehicle.

As indicated above, the design of the shutter device 1, as well as its assembly on the structure of the vehicle, causes a certain number of plays which, if they are not compensated, can harm the proper functioning if not the integrity of the parts of the mechanism of said shutter device 1. The main sources of such play can be the sticking of the rail on the structure, the length of the transmission means 6 and/or the positioning of the support 7 on the structure.

In the embodiment described here, the drive device comprises an electric motor 8. The motor 8 may not be designed and assembled by the manufacturer of the shutter device 1, but by a separate equipment manufacturer. In practice, this clearance can reach a centimeter, which results in very significant overloads which adversely affect the operation and/or durability of the shutter device 1. These overloads can also make the fixing of the support 7 on the structure more difficult. difficult, because it is necessary to force to complete the assembly.

In order to overcome this problem, the support 7 comprises a first part 10, called plate, and a second part 12, called cover. The plate 10 is intended to be fixed on the structure and to receive the training device. The cover receives a coupling portion 60 of the transmission means 6.

The plate and the cover are assembled (or secured) to each other so that they can assume a free state and a blocked state.

In the free state, the plate 10 and the cover 12 are free in translation relative to each other in an adjustment direction X. This adjustment direction is substantially parallel to a direction defined by the coupling portion of said means of transmission. Here, the plate 10 and the cover 12 are movable over a certain predetermined translation range along this adjustment direction.

In the blocked state, the plate and the cover are stationary relative to each other. The way in which blocking is achieved is described below.

Thus, the cover and the plate are adjustable in translation relative to each other in the free state, and fixed relative to each other in the blocked state. In fact, any play in the adjustment direction can thus be compensated by moving the cover and the plate in the free state. Once this clearance is compensated, an operator responsible for fixing the shutter device and the motor 8 at the structure tilts the support in the blocked state, whereby the motor 8 can transmit forces to the transmission means (here, to the cable 62 in the sheath 64), and therefore to the shuttle 5.

This clearance compensation makes it possible to maintain the transmission means at its nominal length and to mount the motor efficiently. This limits the preloads within the motor/cable coupling mechanism (i.e. the stresses when the mechanism is not working).

As the support can be in the free state (in particular as long as it is not mounted on the structure), compensation for the clearance can be carried out when assembling the shutter device 1. This simplifies this assembly, since There is no need to use force to mount the motor 8 on the support 7, but simply to adjust the relative position of the cover 12 and the plate 10, then to block them in translation.

The motor 8 and the structure sandwich the support 7. The motor 8 and the plate 10 sandwich the cover 12. Thus, when the motor 8 is fixed to the support 7, the motor 8 blocks the plate 10 and the plate in translation. cover 12, thus securing the adjustment that these two parts provide thanks to this clamping of the parts of the support 7.

The support 7 here houses a toothed wheel 16, engaged with the cable 62. The toothed wheel is arranged between the plate 10 and the cover 12. The toothed wheel 16 is intended to receive the output axis of the motor 8, this by which the motor 8 is coupled to the transmission means 6. The axis of the toothed wheel 16 passes through an oblong hole 18 formed in said cover 12 so as to allow the translation of the cover 12 in the free state.

The support 7 may comprise a spring 160 coaxial with the toothed wheel 16. The spring makes it possible to press the toothed wheel 16 against the cover 12, so as to hold said toothed wheel 16 in position.

The plate 10 and the cover 12 are here of generally flat shape, which allows the support 7 to be relatively thin, facilitating its installation in a vehicle.

5.2. Seizure portion

Reference is now also made to figures 2 to 10 .

The support 7 may comprise at least one gripping portion 20. Here, the support 7 comprises three gripping portions 20, arranged on the periphery of the support 7 (two at the corners of the support 7 and one in the middle of one side of the support 7 ).

Each seizing portion 20 comprises a first seizing part 200 formed on the plate 10 and a second seizing part 202 formed on the cover 12. The first seizing parts 200 are arranged on the plate 10 so that each of these first parts either facing one of the second gripping parts 202 when the cover 12 is mounted on the plate 10.

The gripping portions 20 prevent the translation of the cover 12 in the adjustment direction X.

In the example described here, each of the seizing portions 20 comprises a pair of sets of grooves (a first set for the first seizing part 200 and a second set for the second seizing part 202). The first game and the second game are of complementary shapes. The grooves of the sets of grooves are spaced from each other in the adjustment direction visible on the figures 8 to 10 ), thus blocking the translation of the cover 12 relative to the plate 10 (and vice versa).

When the cover 12 is pressed against the plate 10, for example using screws, the grooves engage with each other, which makes it possible to switch the cover/plate assembly into the blocked state. When the cover 12 and the plate 10 are at a certain distance from each other (at least equal to twice the height of the grooves), the grooves no longer block the cover/plate translation, and the support is in the free state.

These grooves make it possible to effectively resist large forces in the X direction. They also allow fine granularity in the positioning of the cover 12 and the plate 10 in the figures 8 to 10 which represent the cover 12 and the plate 10 in different positions.

5.3. Retainer

Reference is also made to the Figure 11 .

The support may include at least one retaining member 30. Here, the support 7 comprises as many retaining members 30 as gripping portions 20. Here, the retaining members 30 are identical.

The retaining member 30 retains the plate 10 near the cover 12. The retaining member 30 further authorizes the translation of the plate 10 relative to the cover 12 in the adjustment direction.

Here, the retaining member 30 is formed of an oblong hole 32 and a finger forming a clip 34 engaging in the oblong hole 32 (when the support is assembled). The oblong hole 32 is elongated in the adjustment direction 10 and the finger forming a clip 34 belong to the cover 12.

When the clip finger 34 engages in the oblong hole 32, the clip finger 34 is movable in translation in the oblong hole 32 in the direction X (due to the oblong shape in this direction X). The clip-forming portion of the clip-forming finger 34 abuts against the surface of the cover 12 most distant from the plate 10, so as to produce the desired retention.

The combination of several retaining members 30 as described above not only makes it possible to keep the cover 12 close to the plate 10, but also to allow a certain distance between the cover 12 and the plate 10, so that it is possible to have them translated. This makes it possible in particular to position the cover 12 and the plate 10 without the gripping portion 20 blocking this positioning.

Alternatively, the retaining member 30 may comprise two sets of projections, each set of projections comprising parallel projections distributed in the direction X, each projection forming a clip. The two sets of projections forming a clip are formed on the plate 10. The cover 12 has two flat and parallel edges, as spaced apart as the two sets of projections are. Thus, when the support 7 is assembled, each set of projections engages with one of these edges, said projections then surrounding the two edges of the cover 12 in the manner of claws. This variant also retains the cover 12 near the plate 10, without blocking the translation in the direction X.

5.4. Guide portion

The support 7 may comprise a guide portion 40, typically intended to act as a key during the assembly of the support 7. The guide portion 40 is formed of a plurality of pairs each formed of a guide finger 42 and an oblong hole 44. In the example described here, the fingers 42 project from the plate 10 and the oblong holes 44 are formed in the cover 12. The distribution of the fingers 42 on the plate 10 is similar to the distribution oblong holes 44 on the cover 12, so that when the cover 12 is assembled on the plate 10, each guide finger 42 passes through one of the oblong holes 44.

Each of the guide fingers 42 (or only some) can include a tapping, intended to receive a screw used to fix the motor 8 on the support 7. This makes it possible to gain in compactness.

In the example described here, the gripping portions 20 are formed around the guide portions 40. More precisely, the first gripping part 200 and the second gripping part 202 are formed around one of the guide fingers 42 and around its corresponding oblong hole 44, respectively. Again, this saves space.

5.5. Alternatives to Streaks

In a variant, the gripping portion 20 comprises a set of grooves or teeth formed on the plate 10 (respectively on the cover 12), and a ductile surface formed on the cover 12 (respectively on the plate 10). In the blocked state, the grooves or teeth bite into the ductile surface, so as to ensure the blocking of the cover in translation and to be able to transmit forces from the motor 8 to the transmission means 6.

In another variant, the gripping portion 20 comprises textured surfaces formed on the plate 10 and the cover 12. The textured surfaces, when the cover 12 and the plate 10, provide sufficient friction to block the translation of the cover 12 relative to to the plate 10, so as to be able to transmit forces from the motor 8 to the transmission means 6.

5.6. Variants of the means of transmission

Reference is made to the Figure 12 . In the example described here, the sheath 64 of the transmission means 6 comprises a flared end 640. The flared end 640 is engaged with a groove 642 formed in the cover. The translation between the sheath 64 and the cover 12 is blocked. This allows better translation of the cable 62 in the sheath 64.

The plate 10 includes a recess 644 facing the groove 642, but longer, so that the sheath 64 can translate relative to the plate 10 (in particular during adjustment).

The transmission means 6 may further comprise a second sheath 66. The second sheath 66 houses the end part 68 of the cable 62 not going towards the shuttle. The second sheath 66 so as to improve the translation guidance of the cable 62 under the action of the motor. The second sheath 66 here has a flared portion blocked in translation in the plate 10 and movable in translation relative to the cover 12, in a manner similar to the flared portion of the sheath 64 (but with the role of the plate 10 and the cover 12 reversed).

The second sheath 66 thus houses and guides the end portion 68 of the cable 62 at the plate outlet. This makes it possible in particular to prevent this extremal portion 68 from dangling in the support 7.

The plate is here arranged so as to bend the cable 62 at the level of the toothed wheel 16. The contact length between the toothed wheel 16 and the cable 62 is increased, as is the number of teeth in engagement. The transmissible forces are greater.

A means of transmission has been described consisting of a cable housed in a sheath. Alternatively, the transmission means may be a belt driven by the engine. As the belt needs to be tensioned, compensating for play by the support is of great benefit in this case as well. The transmission means can also be a bicycle brake cable type cable.

5.7 Mounting the support

Reference is made to the Figure 13 , which represents a simplified flowchart of a method of mounting the shutter device.

• réception E10 d'un dispositif d'obturation dont le support est dans l'état libre ;
• solidarisation E20 de la partie fixe dudit dispositif d'obturation aux bords de ladite baie ;
• solidarisation E30 de la platine dudit support à ladite structure ;
• réglage E40 de la position dudit couvercle par rapport à ladite platine de façon que ledit moyen d'entrainement soit placé de façon adéquate par rapport à ladite navette, correspondant à une position permettant la mise en place correcte du moteur ;
• blocage E50 dudit support 7, par passage de ladite position libre à ladite position bloquée.

This process includes the following steps:

• reception E10 of a shutter device whose support is in the free state;
• securing E20 of the fixed part of said shutter device to the edges of said bay;
• E30 securing of the plate of said support to said structure;
• adjustment E40 of the position of said cover relative to said plate so that said drive means is placed adequately relative to said shuttle, corresponding to a position allowing the correct installation of the motor;
• blocking E50 of said support 7, by passing from said free position to said blocked position.

The motor 8 is fixed on the plate 10 during blocking E50. More precisely, the fixing of the motor 8 on the plate 10 by screwing causes the blocking E50 of the support 7. This ensures, among other things, that the support 7 is adjusted in a way which generates the least possible prestress while ensuring good transmission of the efforts, since it is the motor 8 which, upon installation, blocks the cover 12 in relation to the plate 10.

Claims (15)

Device for closing (1) a bay provided in a structure, the closing device comprising a fixed part (2), in which an opening is defined, and at least one movable panel (3) sliding guided along two guide rails (4) mounted on one face of said fixed part (2), between a closed position, closing said opening, and at least one open position, at least one of said guide rails (4) guiding in translation a shuttle (5) ensuring the passage of the movable panel (2) from said closed position to said at least one open position, and reciprocally, said shuttle (5) ) being intended to be connected to a drive device (8) offset relative to said shuttle and connected to the shuttle (5) via a transmission means (6), characterized in that the shutter device (1) comprises or cooperates with a support (7) intended to receive said drive device (8), the support (7) being intended to be fixed to said structure and comprising two parts : - a first part, called plate (10), intended to be fixed on said structure and receive said drive device (8), and - a second part, called cover (12), receiving a coupling portion (60) of said transmission means (6), the cover (12) being mounted on the plate (10) so that the support (7) is able to assume at least two states: - a free state, in which the cover (12) and the plate (10) are free in translation relative to each other, in an adjustment direction substantially parallel to a direction defined by said coupling portion of said means of transmission; - a blocked state, in which the cover (12) and the plate (10) are stationary relative to each other. Device according to claim 1, in which said plate and said cover are connected by at least one retaining member formed on one of said parts and movable in an oblong hole formed in the other of said parts, authorizing said translation in said free state . Device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said retaining members is a clip engaging with the oblong hole so as to maintain said parts linked to one another without preventing said translation in said free state. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which said plate receives a toothed wheel driving said transmission means and driven by the drive device, the axis of the toothed wheel passing through an oblong hole formed in said cover so as to allow said translation into said free state. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which said plate carries at least two barrels projecting from the plate each passing through an oblong hole formed in said cover so as to guide the cover in translation relative to the plate in said free state. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the transmission means comprises a cable housed in a sheath, one end of which is mounted on the cover, said end of the sheath ending in a flared, trumpet-shaped portion blocked in said cover and free in translation relative to said plate, in said free state. Device according to claim 1, in which the plate and the cover are connected by a gripping portion arranged to block the translation of the plate relative to the cover in the blocked state. Device according to claim 7, in which the passage from said free state to said blocked state is obtained by applying pressure to said cover against said plate in a direction orthogonal to the adjustment direction, so that the seizing portion causes a seizure of said translation of the plate relative to the cover in the adjustment direction. Device according to claim 8, wherein said pressure is applied by said screws. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, in which said gripping portion comprises locking elements formed on the cover and on the plate, facing each other in the free state and engaging with each other. others in said blocked state, so as to prevent said translation. Device according to claim 7, wherein the locking elements comprise at least one pair of sets of grooves extending substantially perpendicular to said direction of adjustment. Device according to claim 7, in which the blocking elements comprise at least one set of grooves formed on one of the parts of the support and the other part has a ductile surface, the grooves biting into the ductile surface in said blocked state, so as to prevent said translation. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the blocking elements comprise textured surfaces, formed on the plate or the cover, the two textured surfaces engaging in said blocked state, so as to prevent said translation. Motor vehicle comprising at least one shutter device according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Method of assembling a shutter device according to one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: - receipt of a shutter device whose support is in the free state; - securing the fixed part of said shutter device to the edges of said bay; - securing the plate of said support to said structure; - adjustment of the position of said cover relative to said support so that said drive means is placed adequately relative to said shuttle; - blocking of said support, by moving from said free position to said blocked position.

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