FR2860261A1 - Vehicle door opening mechanism incorporates motorised drive to assist opening of heavy doors e.g. of two-door vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The door (4), connected to a frame (16) surrounding the doorway opening by a hinge (10, 14), has a support (20) to hold the door in an intermediate open position. It is equipped with a motorised drive (40) that moves the door from its closed position towards its intermediate open position by applying a thrust to one component (28) of the support, and then from the intermediate to a second open position or a closed position by applying a traction to the support component. The drive consists of a rotary pin (44) interacting with cam surfaces in a rectangular ring (50) on the end of the support component inside the door.

Description

2860261 1

  The present invention relates to a device for closing an opening, of the type comprising - a frame defining the opening, - a door hinged to the frame by means of connection means between a closed position and an open position, - a device holding device adapted to hold the door in at least a first intermediate position relative to the frame, an intermediate position which is between the closed and open positions, the holding device being provided with a first and a second holding member cooperating to ensure the maintenance, and one of which is connected to the door and the other to the frame.

  It relates in particular to two-door motor vehicles, such as two-door sedans.

  The operation of vehicle doors from the inside is often difficult. The position of the inner handle leads to an uncomfortable posture, which is not conducive to the significant forces required to maneuver the door, required by the large mass of doors combined with the possible effects of wind and tilt.

  On certain vehicles, for example on two-door sedans and coupes, the search for greater ease of access to the rear seats leads to the installation of large doors, and therefore, significant inertia.

  For a seated occupant, exerting the thrust required for the movement of the door involves efforts and contortions that are not very ergonomic.

  The present invention aims to overcome this difficulty of opening the doors and to provide a device for a door that facilitates the operation thereof at least during its opening.

  To this end, the invention relates to a device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it further comprises a motorized drive device adapted to drive the door to its open position from a first predetermined position located outside from the open position, and in that the drive device is adapted to generate a pushing force on said first holding member to drive the door to its open position.

  According to particular embodiments, the device comprises one or more of the following characteristics.

  the first predetermined position is the closed position, and the drive device is adapted to drive the door from the closed position to the first intermediate position; the driving device is adapted to drive the door from its open position to a second intermediate position by generating a traction force on said first holding element; the second predetermined position is identical to the first intermediate position; the second predetermined position is the closed position; - The holding device is adapted to maintain the door in a second intermediate position, located between the first intermediate position and the open position; the first holding element is a bar provided with recesses, and the second holding element comprises a movable roller, this roller being adapted to engage in one of the recesses when the door is in at least one of the positions. intermediates; The driving device comprises a driving element provided with an opening ramp, integral with the first holding element, and a driving finger movable in rotation eccentrically about a first axis and clean. cooperating with the opening ramp to drive the door to its open position during rotation of the drive finger in a direction of rotation in a first angular range that is less than 180; - the opening ramp has a rectilinear shape; the drive element comprises a closing ramp adapted to cooperate with the drive finger during its rotation of a second angular range of less than 180, in order to drive the door to its closed position; - The closing ramp is arranged vis-à-vis the opening ramp; the opening and closing ramps are sufficiently spaced apart from one another so as to allow the door to move between its two intermediate positions; - The closing ramp has a rectilinear shape; - The closing ramp has a curved shape, preferably concave, including arcuate; the driving element comprises a first recess extending the opening ramp in the direction of movement of the driving finger, said first recess being adapted to receive the drive finger when the door is moved to its closed position and when simultaneously the drive finger is located vis-à-vis this recess; the drive element comprises a second recess extending the closing ramp in the direction of movement of the drive finger, this recess vise 2860261 adapted to receive the drive finger when the door is moved to its open position and when simultaneously the drive finger is located vis-à-vis this recess; at least one of the opening and closing ramps, and preferably the two ramps, is manufactured in one piece with the first holding element; the device further comprises a control device adapted to control the driving of a motor of the drive device in order to move the driving finger; and the control device is adapted to drive the drive finger in a position opposite the recess respectively associated with the ramp after the displacement within the first or second angular range, and to stop the drive finger in this position.

  The invention further relates to a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a device 20 as described above.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial view in horizontal section of a part door of a motor vehicle showing a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; - Figure 2A is a view identical to that of Figure 1, the door being in an intermediate position; - Figure 2B is the enlarged IIB detail of the ..

  Figure 2A; Figures 3 to 8 are views of the door according to Figure 1 during different stages of operation of the assembly; Figures 9 to 14 are electrical connection diagrams of a variant of the device of Figures 1 to 8 during different stages of operation; and - Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view of a door portion of a motor vehicle comprising a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

  Figure 1 shows a device 2 for closing an access to a vehicle according to the invention. The device 2 comprises a door 4 composed of a main frame 6 and a reinforcement 8. The door 4 is articulated about an axis AA by a fixed knuckle 10 fixed to a frame 12 secured to the body of a vehicle , on which a movable knuckle 14 is journalled. The frame 12 delimits an opening 16 for access to the interior of the vehicle. The door 4 is movable between a closed position (Figure 1) and an open position (Figure 5).

  The device 2 comprises a holding device 20 adapted to hold the door 4 in its open position illustrated in FIG. 5 as well as in two predetermined intermediate positions, represented in FIGS. 2A and 4. The holding device 20 comprises a set of rollers consisting of a fixed holding roller 22 and a movable holding roller 24 biased by a spring 26 to the fixed roller 22. The two rollers 22, 24 are carried by the frame 6 of the door. The holding device 20 further comprises a bar 28 articulated at one of its ends around an axis BB on a support 29 integral with the fixed knuckle 10. The bar 28 is sandwiched between the two rollers 22, 24. The side of the bar 28 which bears on the fixed roller 22 ensures the guiding thereof. Three notches 30, 32, 34 for receiving the movable roller 24 son: 2860261 6 formed in the bar 28, the side of the movable roller 24. These notches 30, 32, 34 define the open and intermediate positions of the door 4.

  The first intermediate position is defined, depending on the geometry of the door, to provide a great ease of gripping the door by the occupant who will manually bring the door from its first intermediate position in its open position, but small enough to avoid collisions with potential external obstacles, such as a garage wall or other vehicle.

  The device 2 further comprises a drive device 40 of the door 4.

  This device 40 comprises a plate 42 in the form of a disk, movable about an axis C-C, and carrying a drive finger 44 eccentric from a distance e with respect to this axis C-C (see Figure 2B). The plate 42 is rotated by a gear motor 46 fixed on a support 48 secured to the door 4. The plate 42 is driven in a direction of rotation R, which is clockwise in the Figures. The geared motor 46 is electrically powered by a control not shown in FIGS. 1 to 8. An embodiment of this control will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. The device 40 further comprises a lantern 50 integral with the free end, opposite the axis BB, of the bar 28 and made in one piece with it.

  The lantern 50 which delimits a closed interior profile is generally in the form of a quadrilateral. The inner profile of the lantern 50 comprises a rectilinear opening ramp 52 forming a cam, disposed in the vicinity of the bar 28, and terminated by a first recess 54, as well as a cam-shaped closing ramp 56, disposed opposite the opening ramp 52 and terminated by a second recess 58. The recesses 2860261 7 54, 58 are arranged behind the associated ramp 52, 56 by considering the direction of rotation R. The ramp 52 is inclined with respect to the ramp 56.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the finger 44 can be moved successively between five positions P1 to P5. Between two successive positions, the finger is shifted by an angle α, (3, y, 8 and S. The angles a and 8 are less than 180.

  The opening ramp 52 is adapted to move the door 4 from its closed position to its first intermediate position by moving the finger 44 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 of the angle α.

  The closing ramp 56 is adapted to move the door 4 from its open position to its first intermediate position when the finger 44 is moved from the angle S of the fourth position P4 to the fifth position P5.

  When the finger 44 is in the third position P3 which is situated between the second P2 and the fourth P4 positions, or between the fifth P5 and the first P1 positions, the door 4 can be freely moved manually between its open positions and closed by the engagement of the finger in the recesses 54, 58. The two ramps 52, 56 are spaced from each other by a distance d, which is substantially twice the eccentricity e.

  Furthermore, the closing ramp 56 and the recess 58 are connected to the opening ramp 52 and to the recess 54 by two spacers 60, 62 substantially rectilinear and substantially parallel. The spacers 60, 62 are made in one piece with the lantern 50.

  The spacer 60 extends from the recess 54 to the ramp 56 while the spacer 62 extends from the recess 58 -a ramp 52. The two spacers 60, 62 are mutually spaced a distance greater than twice the eccentricity e, so that the finger 44 is still out of contact therewith.

  Thus, the door 4 can be moved between its two intermediate positions without the finger 44 is applied to one of the ramps 52, 56 to a large extent, regardless of the position thereof.

  In what follows the operation of the device will be explained using Figures 1 to 9.

  Figure 1 shows the closed position of the door 4, the geared motor 46 being stopped. The finger 44 is in its position P1, in the vicinity of the end of the opening ramp 52 opposite the first recess 54. In order to bring the door 4 into its first intermediate position, the finger 44 is driven into its position. P2. During the movement between the positions Pi and P2, the finger 44 bears on the ramp 52 and causes by applying a thrust force on the bar 28 a relative movement thereof and the lantern 50 relative to the door 4. Thus, the door 4 is pushed out of its closed position. The bar 28 moves against the fixed roller 22 and pushes the roller 24 by compressing the spring 26.

  When the finger 44 arrives at the end of the ramp 52, in position P2, the movable roller 24 engages in the notch 30 under the force of the spring 26.

  Then the geared motor 46 brings the finger 44 into the position P3, vis-à-vis the recess 54, as shown in Figure 2A. In this position P3, the door 4 can be moved back to its closed position, without the need to return the finger 44 to its position P1. This is represented in FIG. 3.

  The inclination of the opening ramp 52 is chosen such that the angle of rotation a + is between 45 and 60. This leads to a short time of movement of the finger between its positions Pi and P3. Thus, the door 4 can be closed quickly in case of emergency.

  Figure 4 shows the device 2 with the door 4 in its second intermediate position, in which it was manually fed from the first intermediate position. The movable roller 24 is engaged in the notch 32, under the effect of the spring 26. The geared motor 46 has not been solicited, the finger 44 has remained in the position P3.

  Figure 5 shows the device 2 with the door 4 in the fully open position. The roller 24 is engaged in the notch 34. The finger 44 is always in the position P3.

  It can be seen in these two last positions of the door 4 that it is still possible to manually bring the door 4 into the closed position, as shown in FIG. 3.

  Referring again to Figure 5, the position of the notch 34 is chosen, depending on the shape and size of the lantern 50, so that the finger 44, in its position P3, is then close to the closure ramp 56. However, there remains a gap between the finger 44 and the ramp 56 to prevent damage to the finger 44 or the geared motor 46 by an impact on the door 4.

  Figure 6 shows the device in the configuration where the door 4 has been manually moved to the fully open position, from the configuration of Figure 1, without the geared motor 46 having been started. The finger 44 is in its position P1 and engages in the second recess 58.

  Starting from the configuration shown in FIG. 5, when the door 4 is to be closed, the plate 42 is driven to its position P1 through the positions P4 and P5. First, when the document 44 reaches its position P4, it is applied against the end of the ramp 56 and urges the door 4 towards its intermediate position via the bar 28. FIG. 7 shows the device 2 in a configuration after the door 4 has left its open position and before taking the second intermediate position. The finger 44 is applied on the end of the closing ramp 56 in order to drive the bar 28 by a traction which causes the closing movement of the door 4.

  In the case where the door 4 is in a position between the open position and the first intermediate position, when the geared motor 46 is started, the device 2 operates identically, with a slight delay between the beginning of the movement of the finger 44 and the moment when it comes into contact with ramp 56.

  When the finger 44 reaches its position P5 the door 4 has been brought into its first intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 8. The finger 44 being in position P5 is applied against the end of the closing ramp 56 in the vicinity 58. Continuing to drive the finger 44 to its position P1 puts it out of contact with the ramp 56 and the movement of the door 4 stops in its first intermediate position.

  The limitation of the movement to this intermediate position avoids any risk of accident by pinching.

  The device according to the invention is therefore adapted to drive the door 4 only from its closed position in its first intermediate position and from its closed position in its second intermediate position.

  Alternatively, the full open position can be determined by a stop which is not part of the holding device.

  Figures 9 to 14 show a diagram of a control installation 100 of a variant of the device according to the invention, in different configurations during operation.

  Figure 9 shows the standby position, the door 4 being closed.

  As a difference with respect to the device described above with reference to Figures 1 to 8, the geared motor 46 and the plate 42 are arranged on the vehicle structure, while the bar 28 and the lantern 50 are hinged to the door 4 via a connecting rod 28A.

  The door 4 is provided with a handle 4A which is connected to a lock 4B adapted to lock the door 4.

  The geared motor 46 comprises an electric motor 102 connected by a gearbox 104 to the plate 42.

  The control installation 100 comprises a source of electricity in the form of a battery 106 connectable to the motor 102 by a relay 108 interposed in a line 110.

  The control installation 100 comprises means adapted to supply the motor 102 when the finger 44 is outside one of its positions P1 and P3 and to interrupt the supply of the motor 102 when it is in the one of its positions Pi or P3. These means are formed by a first 112 and a second 114 switches mounted in series in an electrical connection 116 between the battery 106 and the control input of the relay 108. The switches 112, 114 are closed in the idle state.

  The installation comprises an actuating boss 120 connected to the motor 102 and rotating in synchronism with the plate 42 and with the same angular velocity as this one. This boss 120 is adapted to open the switches: 12, 2860261 12 114 only when the finger 44 is in its positions P1 or P3.

  The installation 100 further comprises means for bringing the finger 44 out of its position P1 when it is in it and. when simultaneously the door 4 is in its closed position. These means comprise three switches 122, 124, 126 connected in series in a line 128 connecting the battery 106 to the relay 108, and this parallel to the switches 112, 114. The third switch 122 is open in the idle state and connected to the 4A handle so that it is closed only when the handle 4A is actuated to open the door 4. The fourth switch 124 is closed in the state of rest and is kept open by the lock 4B. It is only closed by an actuation of the lock 4B when the handle 4A is actuated to open the door. The fifth switch 126 is open in the idle state and is a limit switch which is adapted to cooperate with the lantern 50. It is closed only when the door 4 is in its closed position.

  The installation 100 also comprises means for starting the motor 102 when the door 4 is between its open position and the second intermediate position. These means comprise a sixth switch 130, open in the idle state, and a seventh switch 132 connected in series in a line 134, and parallel to the aforementioned switches 122, 124, 126. The switch 130 cooperates with a surface 136 of the lantern 50 so that it is closed only when the door 4 is between the open position and the first intermediate position. The switch X32 is open in the idle state and can be operated by the user when he wishes the door 4 to be brought to its intermediate position.

  The control installation 100 further comprises means for moving the finger 44 from its position P3 to its position P1 when the door is closed manually and when the finger 44 is in its position P3.

  These means comprise a line 140 leading from the line extending between the switches 112, 114 towards the line extending between the switch 122 and the switch 126.

  In the following, the operation of the control will be explained using Figures 10 to 14.

  In Figure 10, the device is shown with the door 4 closed at the time the assisted opening has been requested.

  The tilting of the handle 4A closed the third switch 122 and simultaneously retracted the latch of the lock 4B, which closed the fourth switch 124.

  The relay 108, thus connected to the positive terminal of the battery 106 via the fifth switch 126, kept in the closed state by the lantern 50 at the end of travel, makes contact between the positive terminal of the battery and the motor 102.

  The finger 44 is thus driven out of its position P1 and the door 4 is brought to its first intermediate position (see FIG. 11). Between the P1 position and the P3 position, the relay 108 is powered by the closed switches 112, 114, so that the handle 4A can be released after the start of the movement, without the motor 102 stops.

  The movement of the finger 44 which bears against the ramp 52 of the lantern 50 pushes the bar 28 to the left in the Figures and thus causes the movement of the door 4 in its first intermediate position.

  The movement continues until the device 2 takes the configuration shown in FIG. 12, in which the finger 44 reaches its position P3. The boss 120 meets the second switch 114 which cuts the power supply of the relay 108 and consequently the power supply of the motor 102.

  In this configuration, it is possible to manually continue the opening of the door 4. When the door 4 is in its open position, in which the bar 28 is in extreme left position, the finger 44 is positioned near the ramp As soon as the door 4 is moved out of its intermediate position to the open position, the switch 130 is closed.

  Figure 13 shows the device when the door is being closed. The closure is triggered by the momentary support on the switch 132 which is connected to the positive pole of the battery 106, through the switch 130 closed as the door 4 is between its open position and its first position intermediate.

  This support supplies the relay 108 and starts the motor 102. As soon as the rotation has begun, the boss 120 releases the switch 114 and the latter is closed, the relay 108 is then self-powered by the switches 112, 114 and the motor 102 is driven until finger 44 reaches position P1.

  Figure 14 shows the device when the door 4 has reached its intermediate position, which is obtained when the finger 44 reaches its position P5.

  The movement of the door 4 stops although the rotation of the plate 42 continues until the boss 120 actuates the switch 112, which cuts off the power supply of the relay 108 and thus stops the motor 102.

  The complete closure of the door 4 is obtained manually, which brings the device 2 back to the rest configuration shown in FIG. 9.

  When, from the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the door is manually brought into its closed position, the motor 102 is turned on via the switches 112 and 126 closed via the line 140. the finger 44 until the boss 120 acts on the switch 112 when the finger 44 reaches its position Pl. The door then takes its configuration shown in Figure 9.

  As a variant, the control installation 100 may comprise other components such as magnetic or photoelectric proximity detectors, static relays instead of the switches, or even include microprocessors making it possible to centralize the controls.

  In another variant, the switch 132 may be associated with a remote control that can be used from outside the vehicle.

  In Figure 15 is shown a second embodiment of the switch 2 according to the invention. Only the differences with respect to the first embodiment will be described. Similar elements bear the same references.

  The driving device comprises a lantern 50 adapted to bring the door 4 from its open position to its closed position.

  For this purpose, the lantern 50 comprises a closing ramp 56 having a concave shape in the shape of a circular arc which forms a projection 200 disposed at the end facing the recess 58.

  The finger 44 which rests on the closing ramp 56 and the projection 200 allows the continuation-displacement until the complete closure of the door.

  2860261 16 After the passage of the finger 44 in position P5, at the tip of the projection 200, the door is in its closed position.

  When the door 4 is fully open manually and the finger 44 is in its position P1, the finger 44 is in the recess 58.

  The device according to the invention advantageously allows the usual manual operation of the door, without any disturbance, while maintaining the various effects of brake, multi-position stop or end-of-stroke damping when these assistance functions. are not used or when there is a fault for example gear motor 46.

  In a variant, the control 102 is adapted to bring the finger 44 into the rest position P1 each time the door is closed manually.

  According to another embodiment, the geared motor control device comprises a force sensor adapted to stop the maneuver in the event of presence of a foreign body between the door 4 and the frame.

Claims (2)

17 CLAIMS   1. Device for closing an opening, of the type comprising - a frame defining the opening (16), - a door (4) hinged to the frame by connecting means (10, 14) between a closed position and an open position, - a holding device (20) adapted to hold the door (4) in at least a first intermediate position with respect to the frame, an intermediate position which is between the closed and open positions, the holding device (20) ) being provided with a first (28) and a second (22, 24, 26) holding element cooperating to ensure the maintenance, and one of which is connected to the door (4) and the other to the frame , characterized in that it further comprises a motor driven device (40) adapted to drive the door (4) to its open position from a first predetermined position outside the open position, and in that the device drive (40) is adapted to generate a force of p urged on said first holding member (28) to drive the door (4) to its open position.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first predetermined position is the closed position, and in that the drive device (40) is adapted to drive the door (4) from the closed position in the first position intermediate.   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive device (40) is adapted to drive the door (4) from its open position in a second intermediate position by generating a traction force on said first holding member (28).   4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second predetermined position is identical to the first intermediate position.   5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second predetermined position is the closed position.   6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding device (20) is adapted to maintain the door (4) in a second intermediate position, located between the first intermediate position and the open position.   7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first holding member is a bar (28) provided with recesses (30, 32, 34), and in that the second holding member comprises a roller mobile (24), this roller being adapted to engage in one of the recesses (30, 32, 34) when the door (4) is in at least one of the intermediate positions.   8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (40) comprises a drive element (50) provided with an opening ramp (52), integral with the first element of maintaining (28), and a drive finger (44) rotatable eccentrically about a first axis (CC) and adapted to cooperate with the opening ramp (52) for driving the door ( 4) to its open position upon rotation of the drive finger (44) in a direction of rotation (R) in a first angular range (a) which is less than 180.   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening ramp (52; has a rectilinear shape.   10. Device according to claim 3 and one of claims 8 or 9 taken together, characterized in that the drive element (50) comprises a closing ramp (56) adapted to cooperate with the finger of driving (44) when rotating a second angular range (S) less than 180, for driving the door (4) to its closed position.   11. The assembly of claim 10, characterized in that the closing ramp (56) is disposed opposite the opening ramp (52).   12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the opening ramps (52) and closure (56) are sufficiently spaced apart from each other to allow a movement of the door (4) between its two intermediate positions.   13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the closing ramp (56) has a rectilinear shape.   14. Device according to one of claims 10 to   12, characterized in that the closing ramp (56) has a curved shape, preferably concave, and in particular a circular arc.   15. Device according to one of claims 8 to   14, characterized in that the driving element (50) comprises a first recess (54) extending the opening ramp (52) in the direction of movement (R) of the driving finger (44), said first recess (54) being adapted to receive the drive finger (44) when the door is moved to its closed position and when simultaneously the drive finger (44) is located opposite said recess.   Device according to one of claims 8 to   15, characterized in that the driving element (50) comprises a second recess (58) extending the closing ramp (56) in the direction of movement (R) of the driving finger (44), this recess ( 58) being adapted to receive the drive finger (44) when the door (4) is moved to its open position and when simultaneously the drive finger (44) is located opposite said recess (58). ).   17. Device according to one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that at least one of the opening ramps (52) and closure (56), and preferably both ramps, is manufactured from a alone holding with the first holding member (28).   18. Device according to any one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that it further comprises a control device (100) adapted to control the driving of a motor of the drive device (40) in order to a movement of the driving finger (44).   19. Device according to one of claims 11 or 12 and claim 18 taken together, characterized in that the control device (100) is adapted to drive the drive finger (44) in a position (P3; P1). located opposite the recess (54, 58) respectively associated with the ramp (52, 56) after moving within the first (a) or second ((3) angular range, and stop the drive finger (44) in this position.   20. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a device according to one of the preceding claims.