FR2860023A1 - Lockup clutch for motor vehicle, has actuation unit maintaining coupling units in locked position, when window casement and body shell unit are moved to pre-locking position from opening position - Google Patents

Abstract

The clutch has coupling units (61, 73) mounted on a window casement (19) and a body shell unit (13). An actuator drives a coupling unit in a direction from a rest position to an active position, when the units (13, 19) are in a pre-locking position. An actuation unit maintains the coupling units in a locked position, when the casement and the body shell unit are moved to a pre-locking position from an opening position. An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle including a blocking assembly and a lockup clutch.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for locking a first

  motor vehicle component, in particular an opening element, with a second element of the vehicle, in particular a body element, the two elements being movable relative to one another between a relative position

  opening, a relative pre-locking position where said elements are substantially in the vicinity of each other, and a locked position; this device being of the type comprising: a first attachment member, mounted on one of said elements; and an active locking assembly comprising: a second hooking member movably mounted on the other of said elements, between a rest position and an active position; An actuator adapted to drive the second latching member in a first direction from its rest position to its active position, at least when said elements are in their relative pre-latching position; and E first activation means of said actuator when said elements are in their relative pre-locking position.

  The invention is particularly applicable to the locking of a hatchback louver type or sunroof on the body of a motor vehicle.

  Known devices for locking motor vehicle doors include a lock consisting for example of a striker, mounted on the door, and a bolt, mounted movably on the body member.

  To lock the opening, it is moved relative to the body member to bring the striker into contact with the bolt. The kinetic energy accumulated by the opening during this movement allows the engagement of the bolt and the striker.

  Once this engagement has been carried out, a locking device of the aforementioned type (FR-A-2 768 761) makes it possible to obtain a complete locking of the sash, in particular to overcome the resilience of a seal disposed between the opening and the body element.

  However, such a device does not give complete satisfaction. Indeed, some mobile openings, such as for example the opening roofs of vehicles, have a complex kinematics or a provision that make it difficult for the user to give the opening sufficient kinetic energy during its movement.

  An object of the invention is to obtain a simple and reliable device for the complete locking of openings that have a complex kinematics or a provision that limits their mobility.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that said activation means are adapted to keep the fastening members out of mutual engagement upon the arrival of said elements of the position. opening to the pre-locking position, so that all the energy required to engage and lock the first latching member with the second latching member is provided by the actuator.

  The device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features: the actuator is adapted to drive the second attachment member in a direction opposite to the first direction from its active position to its position of rest, at least when said elements are in their locked position; the active locking assembly further comprises second activation means of said actuator when said elements are in the locked position; the second attachment member is rotatably mounted about a first axis on said other of said elements, the actuator comprises a substantially coplanar plate to the second attachment member and rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, a connecting rod, articulated on the one hand, on the turntable and on the other hand, on the second actuating member, and rotary drive means of said turntable in a first tray direction; the rotation drive means comprise a switch for driving the turntable in the opposite direction to the first plateau direction; the rotational drive means comprise control means step by step; - The connecting rod extends along a connecting rod axis and, in said active position of the hook, the connecting rod axis is disposed opposite the drive means in rotation relative to the axis of rotation of the turntable; and said drive means comprise a motor provided with rotary transmission means around a third axis, said third axis being situated in the plane of rotation of said plate.

  The invention further relates to a shutter assembly of a motor vehicle of the type comprising: - a body member; - An opening movable relative to the body member between an open position, an intermediate pre-locking position and a locked position; and a locking device as defined above.

  This assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics: the opening is a first tailgate; it further comprises a second tailgate arranged under the first tailgate, movable between a locked position and an open position, and articulation means mounted between the second tailgate and the body element, said hinge means cooperating with the first tailgate when opening the second tailgate, to move the first tailgate from its pre-locking position to its open position, and vice versa, and said first activation means comprise locking detecting means second hatchback; and - the opening is a retractable roof.

  The invention finally relates to a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a shutter assembly as defined above.

  Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, partial and perspective view of a first closure assembly according to the invention provided for in FIG. rear end of a motor vehicle, in locked position; - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, in the pre-locking position; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, in the open position; - Figure 4 is a sectional view along a median plane of a locking device according to the invention; and - Figure 5 is a schematic partial view in perspective of a second closure assembly according to the invention.

  In all that follows, the orientations used are the usual orientations of a motor vehicle. Thus, the terms front, rear, right, left, upper, lower are in relation to the position of a motor vehicle driver and his direction of travel.

  Shown in Figures 1 to 3, a first shutter assembly 11 according to the invention, disposed at the rear end of a motor vehicle. This assembly 11 comprises a body member 13, a lower tailgate 15, an upper hatch 19 and a locking device 21 of the upper hatch 19 on the body member 13.

  The body member 13 is constituted by the lateral flanks 23 of the vehicle body and by transverse crosspieces 25A and 25B which connect the upper and lower ends of the lateral flanks 23.

  As illustrated in Figure 3, the side flanks 23 and the cross members 25 define an opening 27 which allows access to the boot from the outside of the vehicle.

  A seal strip 29, based on a resilient material, is disposed along a peripheral contact surface of the tailgates 15 and 19, along the lateral flanks 23 and the lower cross member 25B, of the body member. 13.

  This seal 29 seals between the outside and inside of the vehicle when the upper and lower tailgate 15, 19 are locked on the body member 13 (Figure 1). It also makes it possible to damp the impact between one or other of the tailgates 15, 19 and the body element 13 during the locking of these hatches 15, 19.

  In the locked position shown in Figure 1, the lower tailgate 15 extends transversely between the lower portions 31 of the side flanks and the lower cross member 25B.

  This tailgate 15 comprises means 33 for articulation to the body member 13 and means 35 for locking the tailgate 15 to this element 13.

  The hinge means 33 comprise a lateral link 37 hinged at one end 38, on the upper portion 39 of a lateral flank 23 and, on the other hand, at its other end 40, on a lateral part of the lower tailgate 15, at an intermediate level of it.

  These means further comprise a connecting rod 41 for coupling with the upper tailgate 19. This connecting rod 41 is articulated by an end 41A, on the connecting rod 37, near its end 40 and at its other end on a lateral part of the upper tailgate 19 .

  Thus, the lower tailgate 15 is movable between a locked position in contact with the side flanks 23 and the bottom rail 25B of the body member 13 (Figures 1 and 2) and an open position away from the element of box 13 (Figure 3). In this open position, the tailgate 15 and approximately horizontal and located substantially at the upper rail 25A.

  The locking means 35 comprise a lock provided with a bolt rotatably mounted on the lower cross member 25B, and a keeper mounted on the lower tailgate 15.

  The energy required to engage this striker and bolt for locking the lock 35 is provided by the kinetic energy of movement of the lower tailgate 15 between its open position shown in FIG. 3 and its locked position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

  In its locked position, shown in FIG. 1, the upper tailgate 19 extends transversely between the upper portions 39 of the lateral flanks 23 and vertically between the upper cross member 25A and the upper edge 42 of the lower tailgate 15.

  This upper tailgate 19 is articulated on the upper cross member 25A by a hinge 43 which extends along a first transverse axis A-A '.

  Thus, the upper tailgate 19 pivots freely about this transverse axis AA 'between an open position inclined relative to the horizontal shown in FIG. 3, a pre-lock position shown in FIG. 2, and a locked position represented in FIG. 1. Its pivoting is caused manual movements of the lower tailgate 15 under the effect of the rod 41, as will be described below.

  In the open position, the upper hatch 19 is held above the lower tailgate by the coupling rod 41, as seen in FIG. 3.

  In the pre-locking position, the tailgate 15 was closed and locked as explained above, which caused the tailgate 19 to fold down. This movement brought the lateral edges 53 of the upper tailgate 19 to the vicinity of the lateral flanks 23, facing the contact surface of the body member 13 and the lower edge 55 of the upper hatch 19 is substantially in the vicinity of the upper edge 42 of the lower hatch 15.

  In the locked position, the lateral edges 53 of the upper tailgate 19 are in contact, along their entire length, with the lateral flanks 23 of the body element 13, and the lower edge 55 of the upper tailgate 19 is in contact with the edge upper 42 of the lower tailgate 15. The seal 29 is com- pressed throughout its length.

  The locking device 21 of the upper tailgate 19 comprises a latching strike 61 and an active element 63 for locking.

  The catch keeper 61 is integrally mounted on the front face 65 of the upper tailgate 19, in the vicinity of a lateral flank 23.

  The active fastening element 63 is mounted on the same lateral flank 23 of the body member 13 so that, in the pre-locking position shown in FIG. 2, this element 63 is opposite the striker. hooking 61, but out of engagement with it.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, this active fastening element 63 comprises a casing 71 mounted on the lateral flank 23 of the body element, a rotary hook 73, means 75 for rotating this hook 73, and means 74 for activating these drive means 75.

  The hook 73 is rotatable about a second substantially transverse axis B-B ', materialized by a pivot 76, between a rest position where the hook 73 is substantially vertical, and an active position where the hook 73 is substantially horizontal.

  The means 75 for rotating the hook 73 comprise a toothed sector 77 rotatably mounted on the housing 73 about a third axis CC 'parallel to the axis B-B', represented by a pivot 78. These means further comprise a link rod 79, and a drive motor 81 of the toothed sector 77.

  The rotation of the sector 77 is substantially in the same plane as that of the hook 73.

  The link rod 79 is hinged at one end 83 near the toothed edge of the sector 77, and at its other end, at one end 85 of the rotary hook 73. The joints of the connecting rod 79 on these two elements 77, 73 are made to using ball-type links 83, 85.

  The drive motor 81 comprises a drive shaft 87 on which is mounted a worm 89, which drives the toothed sector 77.

  The hook 73, the sector 77 and the motor shaft 87 are substantially in the same plane, which provides a very compact active locking unit 63.

  Furthermore, the motor 81 is electrically connected to two electrical stops (not shown) which are activated when the hook 73 is respectively in the active position or in the rest position.

  The motor 81 is also provided with a switch that reverses the direction of rotation of the motor shaft 87 when the rotary hook reaches one or the other of these stops.

  The activation means 74 of this engine comprise a detector of the position of the lower tailgate.

  Note that the drive means 75 are shaped to minimize the resisting force supported by the motor when the hook is placed in the active position of locking. For this purpose, the drive means 75 are shaped so that the transmission axis EE 'of the forces passing through the pivoting ends of the connecting rod 79 is situated above the axis of rotation CC' of the toothed sector 77 when the hook 73 is disposed in its active position, opposite the motor 81 with respect to the pivot 78. By lever effects, a force applied to the hook 73 and tending to pivot it towards its rest position is thus echoed only on the pivot 78 and the abutments (not shown) of the toothed sector 77.

  We will now describe as an example the operation of the shutter assembly Il, from the open position of the upper tailgate 19 (Figure 3) to the locked position of the tailgate 19 (Figure 1).

  Initially, and as specified above, the upper hatch 19 is maintained above the rear face 51 of the lower tailgate 15 by the coupling rod 41. In this open position, the hook 73 of the active assembly of lock 63 is in its rest position, substantially vertical in Figure 3.

  The lower tailgate 15 is then manually pivoted downward until it comes into contact with the body member 13. During this movement, the lower hatch 15 acquires sufficient kinetic energy to allow the locking the lock 35.

  Under the effect of the drive by the coupling rod 41, the upper hatch 19 also pivots downwards.

  When the lower hatch 15 is locked, the upper hatch 19 is then in its pre-locking position.

  In this position, and given the connection between the tailgates 15 and 19 by the connecting rod 41, the movement of the upper hatch 19 is limited. This displacement would be insufficient to cause its engagement and locking on the body member 13 with a lock identical to that of the lower tailgate 15.

  However, the lateral edges 53 of this upper hatch are in the vicinity of the lateral flanks 23 of the body element 13.

  Thus, the rotary hook 73 of the active locking assembly 63 is substantially opposite the striker 61 of the upper tailgate 19.

  In this position, the activation means 74 detect that the lower tailgate 15 is locked, for example by determining that the lock 35 is locked. With reference to FIG. 4, these activation means then control the rotation of the drive motor 81 in a first direction and consequently of the worm screw 89 which rotates the toothed sector 77 in a first direction of rotation. sector Si 'around the axis C-C'.

  This rotational movement is transmitted to the rotary hook 73 via the rod 79. The rotary hook 73 is rotated in a first hook direction SI and thus moves from its rest position to its active position.

  During this movement, the hook 73 engages with the striker 61 of the upper tailgate 19, then, by camming, also provides the energy necessary to overcome the resilience of the seal 29 and allow the tailgate 19 to move towards the before the vehicle to its locked position.

  When the hook 73 reaches its active position, the electric stop is activated and the motor 81 is cut. In this position, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, the hook 73 is substantially horizontal and the upper tailgate 19 is locked against the body member 13.

  To unlock the shutter assembly 11, a key is inserted manually into the lock 35 of the lower hatch 15. The insertion of this key is detected by the motor activation means 74, which controls the rotation of the motor 81. so as to drive the hook 73 in the direction S2 opposite to the first hook direction SI.

  Thus, the rotational movement of the worm 89 is transmitted successively to the toothed sector 77 which is rotated in the direction S2 'opposite the first sector direction SI'. This movement is then transmitted to the hook 73 by the rod 79. The hook 73 is then moved from its active position to its rest position.

  During this movement, the resilience of the seal 29 drives the upper tailgate 19 towards the rear of the vehicle to the pre-lock position.

  When the hook 73 reaches its rest position, it is out of engagement with the striker 61.

  The lower tailgate 15 is then manually pivoted from its closed position to its open position, by pivoting upwardly the tailgate 19 to its open position, under the effect of the movement of the rod 37 of articulation and connecting rod 41 coupling.

  As a variant of this first embodiment, the rotary hook 73 is replaced by a rotary striker, and the striker 61 is replaced by a hook mounted on the upper tailgate 19.

  In the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 5, the shutter assembly 101 includes a vehicle sunroof 102. This roof 102 is movable, under the action of a motorized system 103, between an open position and an extended pre-locking position in which the front transverse edge 105 of the roof 102 is in the immediate vicinity of an upper cross member 107. the windshield of the vehicle provided with a gasket 108.

  This shutter assembly 101 further comprises two locking devices 21 according to the invention. Each device 21 comprises a keeper 61 mounted at the bottom of a housing formed in the cross member 107 and an active locking assembly 63 mounted on the front edge 105 of the sunroof 102, with the housing 63 flush with the front face of this edge. 105.

  Each active locking assembly 63 is arranged so that the rotation of the hook 73 is substantially in a longitudinal vertical plane.

  This device further comprises two sensors 109 for detecting the pre-locking position of the roof 102.

  The operation of this second shutter assembly 101 according to the invention is similar to the operation of the first assembly 11 according to the invention.

  The sunroof 102 is passed from its open position to its pre-locking position, which does not require significant effort for the motorized system 103. The positioning sensors 109 detect the extended pre-locking position.

  In this position, the hooks 73 and their respective latches 61 are opposite one another, out of reach.

  The activation means 74, connected to the sensors 109, then control the motors 81 of the active locking assemblies 63. As previously described, the hooks 73 move from their rest position to their active position.

  During this movement, each hook 73 engages the striker 61 opposite, then pulls the roof forward by camming. The sunroof 102 is then locked on the upper cross member 107 of the windshield, compressing the gasket 108.

  The use of the locking devices 21 ensures precise guidance of the sunroof 102 relative to the crossbar 107. The locking of the roof 102 on the crossbar 107 is therefore very reliable.

  Moreover, the compactness of these devices 21 makes it possible to arrange them, in the locked position, in recesses provided in the cross member 107, which improves the aesthetic appearance of the sunroof.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiments that have just been described and includes all the technical equivalents of the means presented. In particular the toothed sector 77 can be replaced by a toothed disc rotating in a single direction, according to predetermined angular values, in order to arrange the hook 73 alternately in its active or rest position. The electrical stops and the switch are then no longer necessary and the rotation of the toothed disk via the worm can be controlled by a step-by-step motor. The drive system is then a crank-type system providing the alternative rotation of the hook 73 in the directions S1 and S2.

  Thanks to the invention that has just been described, it is possible to have a locking device which ensures the engagement and the autonomous locking of fastening members, respectively mounted on an opening and on an element of body of a motor vehicle or, alternatively, on two opening cooperating together.

  This device makes it possible to securely and reliably lock openings having a complex kinematic or a position that is not very accessible for a user.

  This device also has a very compact structure that allows easy positioning on different parts of the vehicle.

  This locking device can also be very advantageous when it is not desired to resort to the snap of one of the elements on the other to ensure locking using kinetic energy. Indeed, this device is applicable when it is possible to know the relative position between the elements to be locked, for example the position of the upper tailgate 19 with respect to the cash element 13. Information representative of this relative position can be obtained via a sensor associated with another lock intervening in the opening system, for example the lock 35 conventionally locking the lower tailgate 15 on the body element 13 (FIG. 1), knowing that the kinematics of the tailgates lower and upper 19 is adapted to arrange the tailgate 19 in its relative pre-lock position, when the lower tailgate 15 is locked on the body member 13 by the conventional lock 35.

Claims (13)

  1.- Device (21) for locking a first element (19; 102) of a motor vehicle, including an opening, with a second element (13) of the vehicle, in particular a body member, the two elements being movable the relative to each other between a relative opening position, a relative pre-locking position where said elements (19; 102, 13) are substantially adjacent to each other, and a locked position; this device being of the type comprising: a first attachment member (61), mounted on one of said elements (19; 13); and an active locking assembly (63) comprising: a second hooking member (73) movably mounted on the other of said elements (13; 102), between a rest position and an active position; An actuator (75) adapted to drive the second latching member (73) in a first direction (Si) from its rest position to its active position, at least when said elements (19; 102, 13) are in their relative position of pre-locking; and E first means (74) for activating said actuator (75) when said elements (19; 102, 13) are in their relative pre-latching position; characterized in that said activation means (74) are adapted to keep the latching members (61, 73) out of mutual engagement upon arrival of said elements (19; 102, 13) from the open position in the pre-locking position, so that all the energy required to engage and lock the first latching member (61) with the second latching member (73) is provided by the actuator (75).   2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (75) is adapted to drive the second attachment member (73) in a direction (S2) opposite the first direction (SI) from its active position until at its rest position, at least when said elements (19; 102, 13) are in their locked position.   3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the active locking assembly (63) further comprises second activation means (74) of said actuator (75) when said elements (19; 102, 13) are in the locked position.   4.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second attachment member (73) is rotatably mounted about a first axis (B-B ') on said other of said elements (13). 102), in that the actuator (75) comprises a plate (77) substantially coplanar with this second fastening member (73) and rotatable about a second axis (C-C ') parallel to the first axis ( B-B '), a connecting rod (79) hinged on the one hand to the turntable (77) and on the other to the second actuating member (73), and to rotating means (81, 89) of said turntable (77) in a first tray direction (S1 ').   5.- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (81, 89) for driving in rotation comprise a switch for driving the plate (77) rotating in the opposite direction (S2 ') in the first direction (S1' ) of plateau.   6.- Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotary drive means (81, 89) comprise control means step-by-step.   7.-Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the rod (79) extends along a connecting rod axis (E-E ') and in that in said active position of the hook ( 73), the connecting rod axis (E-E ') is placed opposite the rotary drive means (81, 89) with respect to the axis (C-C') of rotation of the plate rotary (77).   8.- Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said drive means (81, 89) comprise a motor (81) provided with transmission means (89) rotatable about a third axis (D-D '), said third axis (D-D') being located in the plane of rotation of said plate (77).   9. A shutter assembly (11; 101) of a motor vehicle of the type comprising: - a body member (13); - a movable opening (19; 102) relative to the body member (13) between an open position, an intermediate pre-locking position and a locked position; and - a locking device (21) according to any one of the preceding claims.   10.- assembly (11) according to claim 9, characterized in that the opening is a first tailgate (19).   11.- assembly (11) according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises a second tailgate (15) disposed under the first tailgate (19), movable between a locked position and an open position, and means of articulation (33, 41) mounted between the second tailgate (15) and the body member (13), said hinge means (33) cooperating with the first tailgate (19) when opening the second tailgate ( 15), for passing the first tailgate (19) from its pre-locking position to its open position, and vice versa, and in that said first activating means (74) comprise means for detecting the locking of the second tailgate (15).   12.- assembly (101) according to claim 9, characterized in that the opening is a retractable roof (102).   13. A motor vehicle characterized in that it comprises an assembly (11; 101) according to one of claims 9 to 12.