FR2873145A1 - Movable body component e.g. sliding sun roof, locking and unlocking device for e.g. cabriolet, has elastic stop compressed during continuation of cam rotation to connect sliding sun roof and crosspiece of windshield bay in locked position - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an elastic stop (29) that is in abutment against a body part of a vehicle when a hook (7) is held with a strike wire (6) under the effect of rotation of a cam (10). The stop is compressed during continuation of cam rotation to connect a sliding sun roof and a crosspiece of a windshield bay in a locked position. A control device controls rotation during locking and unlocking operation and simultaneously acts on a lock (3).

Description

The invention relates to the field of the automotive industry. More

  specifically, it relates to the locking systems of moving parts of vehicle bodies, including mobile sunroofs.

  Most generally, the movable sunroofs of vehicles, when in the closed position, have their front portion held in abutment against a bodywork element, typically the windshield bolster, through a locking assembly. This conventionally comprises two strikes fixed apart from each other on the windshield bay cross member, and two locks each fixed to an edge of the front part of the sunroof so as to cooperate with one of the locks. The opening and closing of the locks can be controlled by a central mechanism placed under or in the roof and having a system of rods for actuating the mechanisms. Typically, these locks have hooks rotatable about an axis so as to engage with the strike thread of the corresponding strike when locking the roof, and to disengage when unlocking the roof.

  When the vehicle rolls with the sunroof in the closed position, thus kept in abutment against the cross, the sunroof is subjected to vibrations, shaking and deformation all the more intense as the speed of the vehicle is high and the hilly road . This is typically the case when the vehicle crosses a speed bump. These jerks and vibrations solicit the locks of the locking system and may eventually cause their deterioration by deformations resulting in the appearance of games. Maintaining the sunroof in the closed position may end up not being ensured with all the desired rigidity, resulting in the appearance of unpleasant noise for passengers and roof movements favorable to further deterioration. At worst, on a particularly intense jolt, the roof can be unlocked.

  This problem may also arise for other types of movable bodywork that would be locked by a system similar to that just described, for example a movable door or a retractable articulated roof sunroof for cabriolet.

  The object of the invention is to propose a locking system of a mobile vehicle body element solving the problem mentioned above, namely a system that can withstand intense shaking and vibration experienced by the element, without immediate deterioration as in long term, and without inconvenience for the passengers.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a device for locking and unlocking a movable vehicle bodywork element, ensuring, in the locked position, the retention of the movable element in contact with an element of the bodywork of the vehicle. vehicle, of the type comprising at least one striker, integral with the bodywork, comprising a striker thread, and at least one lock integral with the movable element, cooperating with the striker and comprising a hook engaged with the striker thread when the movable element is locked, characterized in that said lock comprises: a rotary cam provided with a track in which a first end of a connecting rod, the other end of which is connected to said hook, is connected, said track tending to bring said first end of the link of the center of rotation of the cam during locking of the movable element; - Means for guiding the rod during movements of the cam and a rotational movement of the hook allowing it to engage with the striker thread when the movable element being locked arrives at a distance predetermined amount of the bodywork element and that the cam starts its rotation; at least one elastic abutment intended to abut against a part of the vehicle body after the hook has come into engagement with the striker wire under the effect of the rotation of the cam, said abutment being compressed during the continuing the rotation of the cam, the latter tending to complete the approach of the movable element and the bodywork during the locking of the movable element; means for controlling the rotation of the cam during locking and unlocking operations of the movable element.

  The track of the cam may be configured to have a hard point hindering the progression of the first end of the link in the vicinity of the end of the track corresponding to the locking position of the device.

  Said hard point can be obtained by a boss and a hollow formed face to face each on an edge of the track.

  The means for ensuring the rotation of the hook may comprise a stud formed on the hook, and a lid of the lock having a slot in which said stud slides, said slot being provided at one of its ends with a housing for the stud. offset from the general orientation to the slot.

  At least one of the locks or strikes may comprise a centering finger and the latch or the corresponding lock may include a housing for said finger.

  Said housing may comprise a sensor detecting the presence and the position of the finger, said sensor controlling the actuation of the means for controlling the rotation of the cam.

  Sensors can detect the extreme positions of the cam.

  The means for controlling the rotation of the cam may comprise a jack.

  The means for controlling the rotation of the cam may comprise a rack device.

  The device may include a plurality of locks and locks, and unique control means acting simultaneously on all locks.

  Said control means may comprise a link rotating about an axis, to which are attached rods each controlling a cam of a lock.

  Said movable element may be a sliding sunroof.

  Said element of the bodywork can then be a transom of 30 windshield.

  As will be understood, the locking system according to the invention provides a hooking hook of the movable member on the corresponding striker wire before the element has reached its full closed position. After this hooking, it operates the lock or locks so as to complete the approximation of the movable member of the body member against which it must come into abutment. During this movement, the movable member compresses an elastic member, this compression being maintained when the movable member is in the closed position. The elastic member then contributes to maintain the locking mechanism of the movable member in a state of permanent tension, and this makes it possible to absorb the forces that tend to move the movable element away from the bodywork element.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the following appended figures: FIG. 1 which schematically shows the general architecture of an exemplary device according to the invention; - Figures 2 to 5 which show a lock and latch of the device 15 of Figure 1 at different stages of its use; - Figure 6 which shows a cam of this lock.

  The description of the exemplary implementation of the invention which follows will refer to the application of the invention to a sliding sunroof. It should be understood that, obviously, the invention is transposable to other types of movable elements of vehicle bodies, which can be locked by one or more lock and latch devices as described, for example a sliding door or an articulated retractable sunroof for cabriolet.

  Figure 1 schematically shows the general architecture of an exemplary device according to the invention. It is installed on a vehicle equipped with a sliding sunroof 1 which, in the locked position, must abut against a transom windshield bay 2. In known manner, this locking device comprises: - on the sunroof 1, a left lock 3 and a right lock 3 ', controlled by a central control mechanism 4; - On the cross 2, a left striker 5 and a right striker 5 'intended to cooperate respectively with the locks left 3 and right 3'.

  The strikers 5, 5 'each comprise a striker wire 6, 6' intended to cooperate with a hook 7, 7 'of the corresponding lock 3, 3', and a housing 8, 8 'for a centering finger 9, 9 'placed on the front of the lock 3, 3' corresponding.

  The locks 3, 3 'also each comprise a rotating cam 10, 10'. Each cam 10, 10 'is provided with a track 11, 11' in which can move one end of a link 12, 12 '. The latter, under the effect of the movements of the cam 10, 10 ', can slide inside a guide 13, 13' so as to control the advance or retreat of the hook 7, 7 'which is attached to the rod 12, 12 'by an axis of rotation 14, 14'. The locks 3, 3 'also include means (not shown schematically in Figure 1) for rotating the hook 7, 7' about the axis 14, 14 'so that the hook 7, 7' comes in taken on the striker wire 6, 6 'of the keeper 5, 5' corresponding to the locking of the roof 1, or disengages the striker wire 6, 6 'when unlocking the roof.

  The cams 10, 10 'can each turn about an axis 15, 15' under the effect of rods 16, 16 ', which are attached thereto by axes of rotation 17, 17' and connect them to the control mechanism 4 This control mechanism 4 essentially comprises a cylinder 18 of the pneumatic or hydraulic type (or any other equivalent operating device), the rod 19 of which has its outer end attached to a rod 20 that can rotate about an axis 21. The ends connecting rods 16, 16 'controlling the cams 10, 10' are attached to this rod 20 by axes of rotation 22, 22 'located on either side of the axis of rotation 21 of the rod 20. This arrangement allows to the control mechanism 4, placed in the central position, to control the simultaneous rotation of the cams 10, 10 'in opposite directions, so as to operate the two locks 3, 3' in accordance with their mirror symmetry with respect to the plane roof longitudinal 1. Arrow s indicate, in Figure 1, the possibilities of movement of the various moving parts.

  Figures 2 to 5 show in more detail an embodiment of the left keeper 5 and the left lock 3 of Figure 1, at different stages of operation of this example device according to the invention. Figure 6 shows the cam 10 of the left lock 3 in more detail.

  The striker 5 comprises a plate 23 integral with the crossbar of the windshield bay 2. On this plate 23 are provided the striker wire 6 and the housing 8 for the centering finger 9 of the lock 3.

  The lock 3 comprises a base plate 24 integral with the sunroof 1, and on which is fixed the mechanism of the lock 3. This comprises various parts in addition to those previously mentioned.

  It comprises first a lid 25 which is only shown in FIG. 2a. Its role is to protect the mechanism of the lock, but also participates in the movements of the hook 7. In fact, the cover 25 has a slot 26 oriented in the direction of movement of the roof 1. It ends, at its end the closer to the front part of the roof 1, by a housing 27 offset from the general direction of the slot 26. The slot 26 is designed to movably receive a stud 28 formed on the hook 7. When the stud 28 is in the housing 27, the hook 7 is kept in the open position, that is to say it can not engage with the striker wire 6. The lock 3 is then in the unlocked state. When the stud 28 is at any point of the remaining portion of the slot 26, the hook 7 is in the closed position, that is to say that if its end is at the striker wire 6, it is maintained The lock 3 is then either locked or locked as will be seen later.

  The lock 3 also comprises an elastic stop 29, made for example of rubber or any other elastomer material that can be compressed. It is placed, in the example shown, so as to come into contact with the striker 6 during the locking of the lock 3, and to be pressed against it during the completion of the progression of the roof 1 to the cross member 2 and locking the lock 3.

  Another stop 30 may optionally also be provided on the front face of the plate 24, and is intended to bear against the housing 8 of the centering finger 9 when the roof 1 is locked.

  The movement of the rod 12 in the track 11 of the cam 10 is provided by an axis 31 which passes through them.

  Sensors 32, 33 make it possible to detect whether the cam 10 is in one or the other of its extreme positions (represented in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5) respectively corresponding to the unlocking and to the complete locking of the roof 1. A this effect can be provided on the cam 10 an excrescence 34 capable of coming into contact with said sensors 32, 33, or any other mechanical, optical, electronic means ... capable of performing this function. Another sensor 36 makes it possible to detect the presence and the position of the centering finger 9 in its housing 8. The information collected by these sensors 32, 33, 36 can be used to inform the driver of the position of the roof 1, and / or to operate the control mechanism 4.

  The movements of the roof 1 and its locking mechanism are decomposed in the following manner, in an operation where the roof 1 passes from an open position to a locked closed position.

  State D, shown in Figures 1 and 2: the roof 1 is brought closer to a predetermined distance from the cross member 2 by a motorized mechanism of conventional type, not shown. The axis 31 of the rod 12 is in an end zone 35 of the track 11, so that the rod 12 (and also the hook 7) is in its most advanced position towards the front part of the roof 1. The stud 28 of the hook 7 is in its offset housing 27 of the slot 26 of the cover 25, so that the hook 7 is in the open position.

  State O represented in FIG. 3: the sensor 36 which determines the position of the centering finger 9 deduces that the roof 1 has come sufficiently close to the crossmember 2 so that the hook 7 is at the level of the striker thread 6.

  Then, the sensor 36 controls the motorized advance mechanism of the roof 1 to interrupt its action, and the central mechanism 4 to retract the rod 19 of the jack 18 so that the rod 16 exerts traction on the cam 10 which rotates around of the axis 15. The axis 31 passing through the rod 12 then passes in the zone 37 of the track 11 which has the effect of backing the rod 12 inside the guide 13 which carries with it the hook 7. In doing so, the stud 28 of the hook 7 passes into the portion of the slot 26 which is oriented parallel to the displacement of the roof 1, which has the effect of rotating the hook 7 about the axis 14 to make it come into engagement with striker wire 6.

  State OO shown in Figure 4: the traction exerted by the rod 16 on the cam 10 continues, which has the effect of passing the axis 31 through the rod 12 in the area 38 of the track 11. As doing so , the axis 31 approaches the center of rotation 15 of the cam 10 because of the shape of the track 11, the rod 12 continues to move back in the guide 13. As the hook 7 is pressed on the striker wire 6, this has the effect of advancing the roof 1 to the cross member 2. At a certain moment, as shown in Figure 4, the stop 29 io elastomer comes into contact with the striker wire 6 and the advance of the roof 1 is continued while a compressive force is exerted on the stop 29. This effort leads to a power of the locking device. Similarly, possibly, the abutment 30 can bear against the housing 8 of the centering finger 9 and also be compressed. For example, it can be envisaged that during this step OO, the roof 1 progresses by about 15 mm during this power-up, as a function of the dimensions and the possibilities of deformation of the stop 29.

  Preferably, at this stage of its progression in the track 11, the axis 31 passing through the link 12 meets a hard point materialized by a boss 39 formed on one of the edges of the track 11 and a corresponding hollow 40 facing it, arranged on the other edge of the track 11. This boss 39 and this recess 40 tend to deflect the axis 31 of its normal trajectory and require, to be crossed, that the cylinder 18 exerts a return force of the rod 19 more important than normally.

  Once crossed this hard point, the device is found in the state shown in Figure 5. The axis 31 through the link 12 is in the end zone 41 of the track 11 which is in line with the zone 38 preceding the hard point. The roof 1 is then in contact with the cross member 2, completely locked, and the presence of the stop 29 in its state of maximum compression (or even the stop 30) creates a tension between the various organs of the device which helps to maintain the roof 1 immobile and locked, even in case of significant shaking and vibration, the latter being absorbed by the stop 29. The presence of the hard point also contributes to this maintenance, in that it makes it more difficult to advance the axis 31 crossing the rod 12 in the opposite direction of what has been described, during movements that would tend to cause an unlocking of the roof 1. It is thus not absolutely necessary that the cylinder 18 actively maintain the rod 19 in position retracted when the roof 1 is locked, the hard point may be sufficient for this purpose.

  The unlocking of the roof 1 is carried out according to a cycle of operations opposite to the locking cycle which has just been described.

  What has been described is, of course, only one embodiment of the invention, and can be modified in various ways.

  The sunroof 1 can abut against another element of the upper part of the vehicle than the windshield bolster 2.

  In particular, if the sunroof 1 is particularly light or of small dimensions, it is possible to provide only one lock assembly 3 striker 5 instead of two, and to simplify the control mechanism 4 accordingly: for example the rod 19 of the jack 18 can be attached directly to the cam 10. Conversely, if the sunroof 1 (or any other sliding element such as a door) is large and / or particularly heavy, it can provide more than two lock latch sets.

  The presence of a centering finger 9, 9 'on the lock 3, 3' and its housing 8, 8 'on the corresponding keeper 5, 5' is not mandatory. It is only an appreciable convenience to help in determining the position of the sunroof 1 and the management of the various control devices, thanks in particular to the sensor 35 present on the housing 8. It could also, in the case of use of a device comprising two sets of locks 3, 3 'striker 5, 5' or more, do not provide centering finger 9 (and its corresponding housing 8) on only one of these sets. The positions of the centering finger 9, 9 'and its housing 8, 8' can be reversed with respect to what has just been described: the finger 9, 9 'can be placed on the striker 5, 5' and the housing 8, 8 'on the lock 3, 3'.

  The exact geometry of the rotating cam 10, 10 'may be different from that shown. The essential point is the presence of the track 11, 11 'in which the end of the rod 12, 12' progresses, with a location and a geometry enabling it to fulfill the functions of controlling the movement of the rod 12, 12 and hook 7, 7 'as described.

  The principle of the rotation of the hook 7, 7 'made by means of the stud 28 and the slot 26 of the cover 25 is only one example, which has the advantage of being simple because it does not require moving parts. specific for his order. This rotation could be carried out by any other appropriate means.

  The elastic stop 29 is not necessarily a massive piece of elastic material, but may be a part incorporating one or more springs. It can come into abutment not against the strike wire 6, 6 'but against any other part of the vehicle body whose location allows the stop 29 to play its role.

  The presence of the sensors 32, 33 detecting the extreme positions of the cam 10 is not mandatory, in particular if the sensor 36 placed on the striker 5 makes it possible to permanently detect the exact position of the centering finger 9 in its housing 8. It is also possible, in addition to these sensors 32, 33, 36, to provide one or more others integrated in the control mechanism 4.

  The control mechanism 4 may be of a different type from that which has been described. The cylinder 18 and its rod 19 can be replaced, for example, by an electrically controlled rack device. A possible advantage of this type of device on the cylinder device previously described would be that it could also contribute to the power of the locking device when the roof 1 is locked, permanently exerting an action for maintaining the position of the rods 16, 16 ', or a pull on the rods 16, 16'. One could then go from the hard point materialized by the boss 39 and the hollow 40 of the tracks 11, 11 'of the cams 10, 10'.

  Similarly, the geometry of the assembly formed by the rods 16, 16 ', 20 and their axes of rotation 21, 22, 22' may be different, depending in particular on the geometry of the assembly of the locking device, the number of locks 3, 3 'to order ...

  It is also possible that each lock 3, 3 'has its own independent control device 4. However, a single device such as that which has been described and shown, which acts simultaneously on all the locks 3, 3 ', has the advantage of guaranteeing in a simple manner a good synchronization of the movements of the cams 10, 10'.

Claims (12)

  1. A device for locking and unlocking a movable member (1) of a vehicle body, ensuring, in the locked position, the holding of the movable member (1) in contact with an element (2) of the bodywork of the vehicle. vehicle, of the type comprising at least one striker (5, 5 '), integral with the body, comprising a striker wire (6, 6'), and at least one lock (3, 3 ') integral with the movable element (1), cooperating with the striker (5, 5 ') and having a hook (7, 7') engaged with the striker thread (6, 6 ') when the movable member (1) is locked, characterized in said lock (3, 3 ') comprises: - a rotary cam (10, 10') provided with a track (11, 11 ') in which a first end of a link (12, 12') flows, whose other end is connected to said hook (7, 7 '), said track (11, 11') tending to bring said first end of the link (12, 12 ') closer to the center of rotation (15, 15') of the cam (10, 10 ') during the lock illage of the movable element (1); - means (13, 13 ', 25, 26, 27, 28) for guiding the rod (12, 12') during the movements of the cam (10, 10 ') and a rotation movement of the hook ( 7, 7 ') allowing it to engage with the striker wire (6, 6') when the movable member (1) being locked comes to a predetermined distance from the element (2) of body and that the cam (10, 10 ') begins its rotation; at least one elastic stop (29) intended to abut against a part of the vehicle body after the hook (7, 7 ') has engaged with the striker thread (6, 6') under the effect of the rotation of the cam (10, 10 '), said stop being compressed during further rotation of the cam (10, 10'), the latter tending to complete the approximation of the movable member (1, 10 '); ) and the body (2) when locking the movable member (1); - Control means (4) of the rotation of the cam (10, 10 ') during the locking and unlocking operations of the movable member (1).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the track (11, 11 ') of the cam (10, 10') is configured to present a hard point hindering the progression of the first end of the link (12, 12 ') in the vicinity of the end of the track (11, 11') corresponding to the locking position of the device.   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said hard point is obtained by a boss (39) and a recess (40) formed face to face each on an edge of the track (11, 11 ').   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for rotating the hook (7, 7 ') comprise a stud (28) provided on the hook (7, 7'), and a lid (25) of the lock (3, 3 ') having a slot (26) in which said stud (28) slides, said slot (26) being provided at one of its ends with a housing (27) for the stud (28) offset from the general orientation of the slot (26).   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the locks (3, 3 ') or one of the latches (5, 5') comprises a centering finger (9, 9 '). and in that the latch (5, 5 ') or the corresponding lock (3, 3') has a housing (8, 8 ') for said finger (9, 9').   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said housing (8, 8 ') comprises a sensor (36) detecting the presence and position of the finger (9, 9') said sensor (36) controlling the actuation of control means (4) for rotating the cam (10, 10 ').   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises sensors (32, 33) detecting the extreme positions of the cam (10, 10 ').   8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means (4) of the rotation of the cam (10, 10 ') comprise a jack (18).   9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means (4) of the rotation of the cam (10, 10 ') comprise a rack device.   Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of locks (3, 3 ') and latches (5, 5'), and single control means (4) acting simultaneously on all locks (3, 3 ').   11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said control means (4) comprise a rod (20) rotating about an axis (21) to which are attached rods (16, 16 ') each controlling a cam (10, 10 ') of a lock (3, 3').   12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said movable member (1) is a sliding sunroof.   13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that said element (2) of the body is a cross windshield bay.