FR2833209A1 - Sealing device for automobile bodywork recess comprises panel carried by sliding elements guided by grooves in rail - Google Patents

Abstract

The sealing device comprises a fixed part in which there is an opening and a sliding panel able to seal the opening. The panel, activated by a driving part (24) able to translate parallel to a rail (21), is carried by two sliding elements (22,23) guided by guide grooves (211,212,213,214) in the rail. An Independent claim is included for a vehicle comprising a sealing device.

Description

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 Device for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, and corresponding vehicle.

 The field of the invention is that of motor vehicle bays.

More specifically, the invention relates to devices for closing a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, and comprising a movable part capable of releasing or closing an opening.

 Conventionally, to seal the opening of a vehicle, whether it be an automobile, a utility vehicle, a truck, a bus or a railway wagon, a glass, held by a connecting frame. The latter has an internal part and an external part, which pinch the edges of the glass and the opening in the bodywork simultaneously, with a seal.

 The most commonly used technique for opening and closing a car window is to make it movable vertically in its own plane, by making it enter or exit the box or the trim of the side doors.

 This technique is commonly used today and solutions for automating it are known. The equipment of automobiles with electric windows is very widespread today.

 However, this technique has many drawbacks. The actuation and drive means are heavy, bulky and complex to assemble. The resulting doors therefore have a large volume, which affects the volume available inside the vehicle (width at the elbows in particular).

 They also have a high manufacturing cost and conventionally pose sealing problems. Maintenance is also complex. They also impose constraints in terms of aesthetics and ergonomics.

 Another technique has been proposed by the owner of this patent application. This technique is described in particular in patent documents EP - 0 778 168 and EP-0 857 844. The shutter device (hereinafter called "bay

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 flush ") presented in these documents comprises a fixed assembly and a part that is movable relative to this fixed assembly. The movable part is connected to the fixed assembly by functional elements which provide the required mobility and which are attached to the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle.

 Such a flush bay can be mounted entirely independently of the vehicle, and attached from the outside, in the housing defined for this purpose on the vehicle body. It can also be secured, in particular by gluing to the lower part of a door, according to the technique described in patent document EP-1 022 172. This thus solves most of the problems identified above.

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

 The movement of the mobile part can be, for example, tilting or sliding. An example of this latter case is described briefly below.

 To ensure the sliding of the movable part, generally consisting of a transparent panel, the functional means include a guide device comprising first and second guide rails mounted fixed on the fixed assembly of the bay, on either side of the opening closed by the movable panel. This is mounted on the rails, to slide in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) open position and an intermediate release position in which it is opposite the bay and released from that -this.

 Hinge means ensure the connection of the panel with the guide rails so as to allow transverse movement of the panel between its intermediate release position in which it is opposite and transversely set back from the opening, and its closed position. in which it is embedded in the bay. The movable panel thus passes from the plane formed by the fixed assembly (closed position) to a substantially parallel plane of sliding, and vice versa.

 In the embodiment described in patent EP-0 857 844, the panel is maneuvered using a handle which can be fixed on the part

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 bottom of the panel. Several techniques have been proposed for making and implementing this handle.

 In certain situations, it is however not possible, or simply not desirable, to use such articulation members, also called knee joints. Indeed, these articulation members cause a slight horizontal offset, when passing from the shutter plane to the opening plane.

 This offset corresponds to the variation of the angle formed by the toggle.

The movement of the mobile panel therefore comprises three components: a displacement in x: translation of the mobile panel; - displacement in y: shutter / opening; a displacement in z: offset (generally downwards, under the effect of the weight) due to the joint.

 This displacement in z can have drawbacks, either because of the constraints of the vehicle, or because of the weight of the movable panel, which must be noted for closing the opening.

 Furthermore, the opening and closing operations of this type of shutter device are currently carried out manually.

 The automation, and therefore the motorization, of flush racks is of course desirable, if not necessary, to equip modern vehicles. The principle of motorization has therefore been envisaged. However, no effective solution has yet been proposed.

 One of the technical reasons for this problem is that the automation of the succession of displacements (movement in x, then in y) is much more complex than the implementation of a movement in a single plane, as it is the case. when the window enters the door.

 We are therefore led to provide specific means for each of the movements in x and in y, which leads to complex assemblies, costly and bulky, and therefore unsuitable.

 The problem of space (and weight) is essential, in the case of flush cabinets: one cannot hide all or part of the actuation means

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 in the lower casing of the door, which you wish to keep closed.

Most of the surface of the bay is therefore visible, and it is not possible that mechanical means (engine, linkage, etc.) are apparently and / or occupy a large surface and volume.

 In addition, the racks must remain easy to manufacture, deliver and assemble, which is generally not very compatible with the concept of automation.

 It will be noted that it has been envisaged to combine the two movements, in the form of a swinging movement, according to which the distal edge of the movable part is, at the end of the race, in the plane of the bay (the movable part then being across, between the shutter plane and the sliding plane). It then suffices to bring the proximal edge manually, to ensure the obturation.

 However, a completely automated shutter is not obtained, unless additional means are provided, which brings back the problems mentioned above.

 The invention does not, however, aim at this type of device with a wiggling movement, which poses numerous problems, in particular in terms of sealing and aesthetics, because the clearance between the movable panel and the opening must be great when the 'back.

 The invention therefore relates to devices in which the movable panel remains permanently substantially parallel to itself, or, more precisely, to the plane defined by the opening. In other words, the movable panel passes through a plurality of planes, all substantially parallel.

 The term substantially means that there may be clearances, offsets or displacements which are not perfectly straight, due to the structure and shape of the opening and of the vehicle, of the materials, of the tolerances, of the wear, ... However, it does not include the case of a panel across a swaying device.

 Note also that the term plan must be understood here in a broader sense: the plane formed by the bay is generally curved, in one or even two directions (this can also justify, in certain cases, the term

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   substantially).

 The invention therefore particularly aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

 More specifically, the invention aims to provide a device for closing a bay integrating a movable panel, permanently remaining substantially parallel and in the same horizontal plane (without offset in z), in particular during the passage of the plane d opening, or sliding plane, at the sealing plane, and vice versa.

 Another object of the invention is, according to one embodiment, to provide such a shutter device, the operation of which can be easily and efficiently motorized.

 The invention also aims to provide such a device for closing a bay which ensures complete and simultaneous embedding of the panel in the bay during a closing operation.

 The invention also aims to provide such a device for closing a bay which is simple to produce, to be mounted on a door or on a vehicle, and which allows easy and reliable use.

 Another objective of the invention is to provide such a device for closing a bay which retains all the advantages of the "flush bays" already developed by the holder of this application, and in particular: flush aesthetic appearance; - aerodynamic aspects; - ease and reduced cost of manufacture; - ease and reduced cost of assembly.

 These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved with the aid of a device for closing a bay formed in the body of a motor vehicle, comprising a fixed part in which an opening is defined. , and a movable part capable of closing off said opening or of releasing the latter by sliding substantially parallel to said fixed part, using at least one guide and / or holding rail according to the invention,

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 said movable part is carried by at least two sliding elements guided in an identical manner by guide means defined in at least one of said rails, so that said movable part remains permanently in parallel planes, while carrying out: a locking movement / unlocking, allowing passage from a closed position in the plane formed by said fixed assembly to an open position, in an opening plane, substantially parallel to said plane formed by said fixed assembly, and vice versa; a displacement (x) in said opening plane.

Thus, according to the invention, there is no longer a displacement in (z), but a displacement is always kept in parallel planes.

 Said locking / unlocking movement is advantageously a rotation with a radius of less than 1 cm. The offset due to the rotation is thus very small, and does not pose any problem, in particular with regard to sealing.

 According to a preferred embodiment, said rail carries at least two sliding elements, each mounted in two grooves, one end of which is configured so that said sliding elements have a rotational movement when passing from said sliding plane to said sealing plane, and vice versa.

 Advantageously, at least one of said sliding elements has a non-circular portion, preventing any rotation of said sliding element outside of said ends.

 Advantageously, the movement of said movable part is actuated by a movable drive part in translation parallel to said rail, acting on at least one of said sliding elements.

 Said drive part and said rail are thus advantageously configured so that the translational movement of said movable part is transformed into: a movement in rotation for said locking / unlocking;

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 and a displacement (x) in said opening plane.

 Preferably, said drive part comprises two slots in which two fingers respectively move integral with each of said sliding elements.

 In this case, advantageously, said light substantially defines a V, a first wing of which is parallel to said planes, and a second wing forms an angle of the order of 135 with said first wing.

 Advantageously, the movement of said movable panel can be motorized.

 In particular, motorization means can be provided to drive said drive piece in translation, parallel to said rail. A single translational movement is necessary to ensure all the kinematics of the mobile part.

 These motorization means can in particular act on one of the transmission means belonging to the group comprising: the racks; cables ; the worms; helical groove drums, and combinations thereof.

 In the case where a worm is used, it is advantageously a flexible screw, in particular if the closure device is not flat.

The invention also relates to motor vehicles comprising at least one closure device as described above.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of several preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting examples, and of the drawings among which: Figure 1 is a general view of a closure device according

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 the invention; - Figure 2 is an exploded view of the various elements ensuring the mobility of a movable panel of the device of Figure 1.

 Figure 1 therefore shows a shutter device for flush bay, of structure known per se. It has a fixed assembly 11, made in one or more pieces, and intended to be attached to a bay provided in the bodywork or the structure of a vehicle, from outside the vehicle.

An opening 12 is provided in this fixed assembly 11. Although it is here represented, rather conventionally, in a rectangular shape, it can of course take another shape. It can also be expected that there will be several openings in certain situations.

A movable panel 13 can close or release the opening 12. It is mounted on rails 14 and 15, presented in more detail below. As illustrated, the rails can extend to the edge of the fixed assembly 11, so as to be secured to the body during assembly on the vehicle.

Although the rails 14 and 15 are here parallel, it is also possible to provide means so that this is not the case, for example so that the upper rail 15 follows the profile of a bodywork.

The movable panel 13 can therefore slide along the rails (arrow C) parallel to the plane defined by the fixed assembly 11. It will be recalled that this "plane" can be curved, curved or curved.

It can also pass from this sliding plane to the sealing plane, by being embedded in the opening 12.

According to the invention, this passage from the shutter plane (or embedding plane) to the opening plane (or sliding plane) and vice versa, takes place without the movable panel shifting vertically (or more exactly, perpendicular to the plane of the fixed assembly and to the sliding axis) as is the case with the knee lever technique described in the preamble.

This result is achieved by equipping at least one of the rails with a double (at least) set of guide means, guiding two support elements of the mobile panel.

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 These guide means are designed so that they apply the same movement to each of the at least two support means. Thus, the latter require the mobile panel to remain permanently in parallel planes, and to come to be embedded simultaneously (all the edges at the same time) in the opening.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in exploded view, an embodiment of the technique of the invention. This is the lower rail 14. The upper rail 15 can be produced symmetrically (with or without actuation means, as required).

 The fixed rail 21, integral with the fixed part of the opening, therefore has two sets of two parallel grooves 211, 212 and 213, 214, in which two sliding elements 22, 23 can move respectively.

 These sliding elements each have two lower extensions 221,222 and 231,232, cooperating respectively with the grooves 211 to 214, and an upper extension 223,233, cooperating respectively with an opening 251,252 provided for this purpose in the support 25 of the movable panel.

 The extensions 222 and 232 have a shape of a flat shoe, so as to prevent the rotation of the sliding elements, during the sliding of the movable window. The corresponding groove 212,214 ends with a circular opening 2121,2141, allowing end-of-travel rotation of these sliding elements.

 The other groove 211,212 ends in an arc of a circle 2111,2131, allowing the corresponding extension 221,231 to accompany and guide this rotation.

These end profiles of the grooves allow the passage from the opening plane to the sealing plane, and vice versa. The fact that the two (or more) sliding elements 22 and 23 have the same movement means that the movable panel always moves in parallel planes.

The extensions 221,222 on the one hand, and 231,232 on the other hand being very close to each other, the effect of rotation is low, and does not pose any problem, in particular for embedding. In a particular embodiment, the offset in x (along the sliding axis which corresponds to the distance between the extensions)

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 is thus of the order of 8 mm when closing.

The driving of the mobile part can be carried out in several ways, manually or, advantageously, in a motorized manner. It is possible to act directly on the movable panel or, as proposed below, on the sliding elements (or at least one of the sliding elements).

One can in particular provide an intermediate plate 24, placed between the sliding elements 22, 23 and the support 25 of the movable panel, and acting on the upper extensions 223, 224.

 This intermediate plate 24 is provided with two openings 241 and 242, in which the upper extensions 223, 233 are housed respectively.

 Each of these openings 241 and 242 has a general shape of a very open V, one of the wings 2411, 2421 of which is parallel to the main axis of the intermediate plate 24 (and therefore to the sliding axis), and whose the other wing 2412.2422 forms an angle of the order of 45 with this axis.

 According to the invention, the intermediate plate 24 moves only in translation, along the sliding axis 243.

 During the sliding movement, the upper extensions 223,233 are located in the wing 2411,2421 of the openings, and the sliding elements 22,23 move in the grooves 211,214 provided for this purpose.

 When closing, when the sliding elements 22 and 23 come into abutment with the grooves, they perform a rotational movement (substantially 1/4 of a turn), under the guidance of the circular openings 2121 and 2141 and the circular arcs 2111 and 2131 .

 Simultaneously, the intermediate element 24 being always displaced in translation, the upper extension 223, 233 moves in its lumen 241, 242, and in particular in the oblique wing 2412, 2422.

 Thus, the linear displacement of the intermediate plate 24 makes it possible to apply the two displacements, sliding on the one hand, and opening / closing on the other hand, to the movable panel.

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 This movement of the intermediate plate can be manual, using a handle (not shown) or motorized. Indeed, it is easy to motorize it, since in simple linear displacement is necessary.

 The motorized drive of this plate can for example be achieved using a worm screw, driven by a motor. A nut, or a bore, is secured to the plate, so that the screw, which extends parallel to the rail, can impart movement to the plate. The screw can be made of a flexible material, for example plastic, especially if the closure device is not flat.

 Other training modes are of course possible. In particular, training can be obtained using the following means (and their combinations): - racks; - cables ; - worms; - drums with helical grooves.

 Other embodiments, as well as variants and improvements, are conceivable.

 The technique of the invention can also be implemented on a shutter device with a single rail, as presented in the joint patent application having for title Device for shuttering a bay formed in the body of a vehicle. , single rail, and corresponding vehicle.

 In particular, although only one movable panel is shown, it is of course possible to provide for several of them.

 Finally, we do not detail the additional or additional elements (seal, locking system, burglar-resistant device, ...), which can of course be integrated into the rack of the invention.

Claims (13)

 CLAIMS 1. Device for closing a bay formed in the body of a motor vehicle, comprising a fixed part (11) in which an opening (12) is defined, and a movable part (13) capable of closing said opening (12) or releasing it by sliding (C) substantially parallel to said fixed part (11), using at least one guide and / or holding rail (14,15), characterized in that that said movable part is carried by at least two sliding elements (22,23) guided identically by guide means (211,212, 213,214) defined in at least one of said rails (14,15), so that said movable part remains permanently in parallel planes, while performing: a locking / unlocking movement, allowing the passage from a closed position in the plane formed by said fixed assembly (11) to an open position, in a plane opening, substantially parallel to said plane formed by said fixed assembly (11), and vice versa; a displacement (x) in said opening plane. 2. Sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking / unlocking movement is a rotation of a radius less than 1 cm. 3. obturation device according to claim 2, characterized in that said rail carries at least two sliding elements (22,23), each mounted in two grooves (211,212, 213,214) of which one end (211,212, 213,214) is configured so that said sliding elements (22,23) have a rotational movement when passing from said sliding plane to said sealing plane, and vice versa. 4. Sealing device according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said sliding elements (22,23) has a non-circular portion (222,232), preventing any rotation of said sliding element outside said <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  ends. 5. Sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the displacement of said movable part is actuated by a drive part (24) movable in translation parallel to said rail (21), acting on at least one of said sliding elements (22,23). 6. Sealing device according to claim 5, characterized in that said drive part (24) and said rail (21) are configured so that the translational movement of said movable part (13) is transformed into: a movement in rotation for said locking / unlocking; and a displacement (x) in said opening plane. 7. shutter device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said drive part (24) comprises two slots (241,242) in which move respectively two fingers (223,233) respectively secured to each of said sliding elements (22,23). 8. obturation device according to claim 7, characterized in that said light (241,243) substantially defines a V, of which a first wing (2411,2421) is parallel to said planes, and a second wing (2412,2422) forms a angle of around 135 with said first wing (2411, 2421). 9. Sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the movement of said movable panel (11) is motorized. 10. Sealing device according to claim 9 and any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that it comprises motorization means driving said drive part (24) in translation, parallel to said rail. 11. Sealing device according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that it comprises motorization means act on one of the transmission means belonging to the group comprising: the racks; cables ; the worms; <Desc / Clms Page number 14>  drums with helical grooves. 12. Sealing device according to claim 11, characterized in that said endless screw is a flexible screw. 13. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one closure device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.