FR2878558A1 - Darkening device e.g. winder curtain, for motor vehicle, has coupling units with elastic return units to tense tarpaulin between traction rod and winding tube, and to form integral part of transmission chain for coupling of rod with tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has coupling units (40a, 40b) to couple the displacement of a traction rod (30) to the axial rotation of a winding tube (20). The coupling units have elastic return units (41a, 41b) which can set an opaque tarpaulin (10) in tension between the rod and the winding tube. The units (41a, 41b) form integral part of a transmission chain ensuring the coupling of the rod with the tube for displacement. An independent claim is also included for a vehicle including a darkening device.

Description

MULTI-POSITION OCCULTATION DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR

MOTOR VEHICLE

  The present invention relates to a device for occulting at least partially one or more panels permeable to light, by means of a roller curtain.

  The invention finds a particularly advantageous, but not exclusive, application in the automotive field.

  Today, more and more motor vehicle roofs are equipped with light permeable panels, that is to say transparent or translucent panels. It is usually either a sunroof system whose movable panel is made of glass, or a fixed glass panel directly constituting a more or less important part of the roof.

  Whatever the embodiment considered, in practice, this type of more or less transparent panel is systematically used in combination with a light concealer capable of being deployed parallel to the inner surface of the glass panel. The function of such a device is to prevent the light rays, which penetrate through the glass panel, to propagate inside the passenger compartment. The objective is obviously to limit the greenhouse effect inside the motor vehicle, especially on days of strong sunshine.

  Among the occultation devices known from the state of the art, there are those that perform their function by implementing a roller curtain. Schematically, a more or less opaque web is mounted movably in motion relative to an area to be hidden, between a storage position and an extended position. More specifically, two opposite ends of the fabric are respectively secured to a winding tube mounted for axial rotation away from the area to be concealed on the one hand, and to a movable bar mounted movably in movement along said zone. to conceal on the other hand. The assembly is arranged so that in the storage position, the fabric is wound around the roller tube, and in the deployed position, said fabric extends opposite the area to be hidden.

  In this type of embodiment, the roller tube is generally not mounted completely free in axial rotation, but coupled to a torsion spring which permanently drives it in the winding direction of the fabric. The purpose is to stretch longitudinally the fabric between the draw bar and the winding tube, when said fabric is deployed. However, such a configuration has the disadvantage of being functional only when the pull bar is perfectly immobilized.

  In the case of a purely manual device, this implies that the drawbar must be hooked for the implementation of the occultation function is effective. This therefore implies that only one use position is truly usable outside the storage position, namely the deployed position. In the end, this all-or-nothing operation makes such an obscuration device insufficiently practical.

  A motorized occultation device can be used to solve this problem. Multi-position motor means driving two cables respectively fixed to the two ends of the draw bar are indeed perfectly able to move the fabric between the storage position and the deployed position, but also to immobilize said pull bar whatever the position of said web relative to the one to be obscured. However, such a configuration is particularly expensive compared to manual concealment device, which prohibits the use ion in many applications.

  However, there is known an occulta ion device which is both manual and multi position, and which is therefore likely to remedy all of these difficulties. Compared to its manual counterpart previously described, this multi-position device is distinguished by the fact that it has no return spring at the retractor tube, but that it has organs capable of coupling the movement. of the drawbar with the axial rotation of said retractor tube when the web is driven in displacement between the storage position and the deployed position.

  Specifically, each end of the draw bar is secured to a cable which cooperates in drive with a conical pulley, itself attached to the corresponding end of the winding tube. The conical shape of each pulley is dictated by the absolute necessity of having pull bar displacement lengths that are equal to the lengths of windings or unwinds of fabric, in order to guarantee in all positions a constant tension of said fabric. between said drawbar and said retractor tube. This obviously implies that each conical pulley must be shaped so that the diameter of the wire wound around the roller tube is always equal to that of each cable wound around said conical pulley, regardless of the number of turns. said winding ube.

  This type of occultation device, however, has the disadvantage of being transversely = very bulky because of the often excessive width of the conical pulleys, which reduces the width of the area likely to be obscured. By construction, the width of each pulley is indeed directly proportional to the number of revolutions of: ube winder necessary to completely wind the fabric, which means that it is even greater than the length of fabric is important.

  Also the technical problem to be solved, by the object of the present invention, is to provide a concealment device comprising a fabric of which two opposite ends are respectively integral with a winding tube mounted to rotate axially away from an area to be obscured and a sliding bar mounted movably moving along the area to be obscured, the fabric being movably mounted in displacement between a storage position in which it is wound around the reel tube and a deployed position in which it extends facing the area to be obscured, the occulting device further comprising at least one member adapted to couple the displacement of the pulling bar with the axial rotation of the retractor tube when the web is moved in displacement between the storage position and the deployed position, occulting device that would avoid the problems of the state of the art by having transverse There is a substantially improved compactness on both sides of the area to be concealed while offering a particularly low price.

  The solution to the technical problem posed consists, according to the present invention, in that each coupling member comprises at least one elastic return means which is capable of putting the fabric longitudinally in tension between the drawing bar and the winding tube. and which is an integral part of the transmission chain ensuring the coupling in displacement of said draw bar with said winding tube.

  The fact that an elastic return means is an integral part of the transmission chain means that it participates directly and effectively in the coupling in displacement of the drawbar with the retractor tube. This implies that it cooperates directly on the move with the other mobile elements that make up the transmission member and which constitute the transmission chain.

  Concretely, the presence of each elastic return means makes it possible to compensate for the difference between the length of movement of the drawbar, which is a priori constant over time, and the length of winding or unfolding of the fabric, which is in turn variable depending on the number of turns of the roller tube.

  The invention as thus defined has the advantage of offering multi-position type operation, but also of being perfectly compatible with a purely manual mode of implementation. By dispensing with the large conical pulleys of the state of the art, the invention also makes it possible to minimize the transverse bulk of the occulting device on either side of the zone to be obscured, and consequently to maximize the occultation surface for a device of given dimensions. Whatever its mode of implementation, the invention also has the advantage of being structurally relatively simple, which allows it to remain inexpensive compared to equivalent systems of the prior art.

  The present invention also relates to the features which will emerge during the following description, which should be considered in isolation or in all their possible technical combinations.

  This description, given by way of non-limiting example, is intended to better understand what the invention is and how it can be achieved. It is also given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 to 5 are bottom views which schematically illustrate five occulting devices according to five different embodiments of the invention.

  For the sake of clarity, the same elements have been designated by identical references. Likewise, only the essential elements for understanding the invention have been represented, and this without regard to the scale and in a schematic manner.

  FIG. 1 represents a concealment device 1 which is intended to be secured inside a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, in order to conceal the light passing through a fixed glass panel, forming a roof. It should be noted that the area to be obscured is here constituted by the truly light-permeable portion of the glass panel, that is to say the one that actually allows rays of light to enter the interior of the passenger compartment and that Therefore, it is not arranged in relation to any bodywork portion or any lining element.

  Anyway, the first is provided with an opposite ends 11, secured, on the one hand, to mobile in axial rotation occult, and on the other hand, mounted movably in displacement along said zone. to conceal.

  In order to be able to be deployed parallel to the internal surface of the glass panel, the fabric 10 is mounted movably in displacement between a storage position in which it is wound around the roller tube 20, and an extended position in which it extends in look at the area to hide.

  The concealment device 1 is furthermore provided with two members 40a, 40b which are able to couple the displacement of the pulling bar 30 with the axial rotation of the retractor tube 20, when the fabric 10 is driven in displacement between the positior storage and the deployed position.

  According to the object of the present invention, each coupling member 40a, 40b comprises an elastic return means 41a, 41b which is able to put the fabric 10 longitudinally in tension between the draw bar 30 and the winding tube 20, and which is integral part of the transmission chain ensuring the coupling in displacement of said draw bar 30 with said winding tube 20.

  In this particular embodiment, chosen solely by way of example, the two coupling members 40a, 40b are respectively capable of occulting device 1 opaque canvas 10, two of which 12 are respectively a winding tube 20 mounted away from each other. from the zone to a pull rod 30 move each end 31, 32 of the draw bar 30 with the corresponding end 21, 22 of the winding tube 20, when the wire 10 is driven in displacement between the storage position and the deployed position. This characteristic advantageously makes it possible to be able to guide the movement of the pull bar 30 in a perfectly symmetrical manner, that is to say without generating any skewing likely to hinder the proper deployment of the fabric 10.

  According to one particularity of the invention, each coupling member 40a, 40b comprises a flexible transmission element 42a, 42b which is connected to the draw bar 30 and which is able to cooperate in drive with a rotary transmission element 43a, 43b connected to the roller tube. 20.

  In this first embodiment of the invention, the implementation of the occultation device 1 is manual, which advantageously confers an extreme structural simplicity to all. Furthermore, the flexible transmission element 42a, 42b of each coupling member 40a, 40b is connected to the draw bar 30 by means of an elastic return means 41a, 41b which is able to exert a traction force between said flexible transmission member 42a, 42b and said draw bar 30.

  In this exemplary embodiment, the elastic return means 41a, 41b integrated in each coupling member 40a, 40b is constituted by a cylindrical traction spring whose one end is integral with the flexible transmission element 42a, 42b and whose other end is secured to the draw bar 30.

  It should be noted that FIG. 1 is only a schematic diagram, and that each elastic return means 41a, 41b will in practice advantageously be integrated inside the draw bar 30 for reasons of space and obvious aesthetics.

  Each rotational transmission element 43a, 43b is itself constituted by a pulley which is. able to cooperate in winding with the flexible transmission element 42a, 42b whose profile may be a priori any since the mutual drive between these two elements is by friction.

  It should be noted that each pulley is here rigidly secured to the corresponding end 21, 22 of the winding tube 20. However, this connection could very well be achieved by means of a second elastic return means whose action it would then complete that of the cylindrical pull spring, forming elastic return means 41a, 41b. In any event, the assembly consisting of the winding tube 20 and the two rotary transmission elements 43a, 43b is here rotatably mounted relative to fixed bearings 60a, 60b.

  The flexible transmission element 42a, 42b for its part has a linear shape in that it has two distinct ends, one being connected to the draw bar 30, the other being connected to the transmission element rotary 43a, 43b. By way of example, the flexible transmission element 42a, 42b may thus be constituted by a cable or a belt. It is of course understood that in this first embodiment, the connection between the end of each flexible transmission element 42a, 42b and the draw bar 30 is indirect, since it is achieved through a means resilient return 41a, 41b, in this case a cylindrical pull spring.

  In this embodiment, it is further noted that the end of each flexible transmission element 42a, 42b, which is intended to cooperate in drive with the rotary transmission element 43a, 43b, is integral with said transmission element. rotary 43a, 43b. This simply means that the end in question does not end in a dead end as in the third embodiment of Figure 3 subsequently described. It will also be observed that, in a conventional manner, two return pulleys L4a, 44b respectively participate in the kinematics of displacement of each flexible transmission element 42a, 42b.

  According to a not shown variant of this first embodiment, each flexible transmission element 42a, 42b could be in the form of a loop connected to the drawbar 30 on the one hand, and co-operating in drive with the corresponding rotary transmission element L3a, 43b on the other hand. Moreover, each flexible transmission element 42a, 42b could further comprise protruding parts which would be uniformly distributed over its length and which would be able to cooperate in interlocking, at the level of the zone to be concealed, with holes of substantially complementary sections. , along the corresponding lateral edge of the fabric 10. This feature would have the advantage of allowing the transverse retention of the fabric 10 when the latter unfolds in relation to the area to be obscured.

  Be that as it may, it is important to note that this feature implies that each flexible transmission element 42a, 42b is in the form of a loop. It is indeed essential that at the level of the zone to be obscured, a portion of the flexible transmission element 42a, 42b always moves parallel to the fabric 10, so that these two elements are truly capable to remain in solidarity.

  FIG. 2 shows a concealment device 100 which complies with a second embodiment of the invention. Although its implementation is always carried out manually, this occulting device 100 differs from the first embodiment described, essentially by the fact that the rotary transmission element 143a, 143b of each coupling member 140a, 140b is here connected to the retractor 20 by means of an elastic return means 141a, 141b which is able to exert a torsional force between said rotary transmission member 143a, 143b and said retractor tube 20.

  This means in other words that each rotational transmission element 143a, 143b is coupled in axial rotation with the winding tube 20, by means of an elastic return means 141a, 141b allowing a certain angular offset between these two elements . The assembly is arranged so that the axis of rotation of each rotary transmission element 143a, 143b is collinear with that of the winding reel 20. Of course, the angular offset between each rotary transmission element 143a,: L43b and the retractor tube 20 is permanently subjected to the return action exerted by the elastic return means 141a, 14lb corresponding. Regardless of this internal mobility, the assembly composed of the winding tube 20 and the two rotary transmission elements 143a, 143b is rotatably mounted relative to fixed bearings 160a, 160b.

  In this embodiment, the elastic return means 141a, 141b of each coupling member 140a, 140b is constituted by a spiral spring whose end is integral with the rotary transmission element 143a, 143b and whose end is integral with the winding tube 20.

  It is observed that, as for the first embodiment, each rotational transmission element 143a, 143b is constituted by a pulley which is able to cooperate in winding with a linear flexible transmission element 142a, 142b. In the same way, it should be noted that each linear flexible transmission element 142a, 142b has a substantially smooth profile and has an end which is directly integral with the rotary transmission element 143a, 143b. There are also two conventional return pulleys 144a, 144b participating respectively in the kinematics of displacement of each flexible transmission element 142a, 142b.

  At this stage, it is also noted that it is perfectly conceivable to combine the action of the elastic return means 141a, 141b with that of elastic return means 41a, 41b as used with the occulting device 1.

  FIG. 3 shows a concealment device 200 which conforms to a third embodiment of the invention. Compared with the first two described, this embodiment is distinguished firstly by the fact that the occultation device is provided with motor means 250 which are able to drive the web 10 moving between the storage position and the deployed position. These motor means can be low coup = _es, compared to the motorization of conventional retractors with return springs in the tube.

  Particularly advantageously, the drive means 250 are here able to drive a moving transmission element 242a, 242b, 243a, 243b of each coupling member 240a, 240b. It will be understood that a movable transmission member 242a, 242b, 243a, 243b may alternatively designate a flexible transmission member 242a, 242b or a rotary transmission member 24: 3a, 243b.

  In this embodiment, the motor means 250 schematically comprise an electric motor, not shown for the sake of clarity, which is capable of axially rotating two drive gears 251 with straight teeth, shown superimposed on FIG. is arranged so that each pinion 251 can cooperate in drive respectively with the flexible transmission element 242a, 242b of each coupling member 240a, 240b implemented.

  The concealment device 200 is also distinguished from its manual counterparts by the fact that each rotary transmission element 243a, 243b is constituted by a toothed pinion which is able to cooperate in meshing with a toothed flexible transmission element 242a, 242b.

  For example, the flexible transmission element 242a, 242b may be constituted by a toothed belt or by a rack cable including chain type or overmoulded type. As regards more particularly this last point, it may be a steel cable, a polyester or Kevlar braid, along which spheres or teeth are overmolded at regular intervals, in the areas concerned. by meshing on the gears (opening / closing stroke). The cable can be without teeth in other areas.

  Each flexible transmission element 242a, 242b also has a linear shape, one end of which is connected to the draw bar 30 and whose other end is connected to the corresponding rotary transmission element 243a, 243b; this last extremity ending here in dead strand.

  For the rest, the architecture of the coupling members 240e, 240b is substantially comparable to that used in the occulting device 1, in particular as regards the implantation and operation of the elastic return means 241a, 241b. Two double return pulleys 244a, 244b are moreover conventionally used.

  FIG. 4 illustrates a concealment device 300 which complies with a fourth embodiment of the invention. It differs from the third mainly because the flexible transmission element 342a, 342b of each coupling member 340a, 340b is here in the form of a loop which is connected to the draw bar 30d. on the one hand, and cooperating in training with the element. corresponding rotary transmission 343a, 343b on the other hand.

  Each flexible transmission element 342a, 342b is not secured directly to the draw bar 30, since the elastic return means 341a, 341b of the coupling member 340a, 340b corresponding is interposed between these two elements in order to be able to exercise a pulling force between them. It's about. in this case a cylindrical tension spring.

  With regard to each coupling member 340a, 340b, there is concretely a toothed gear, forming a rotary transmission element 343a, 343b, which eE, t able to cooperate in meshing with a toothed belt, forming flex = _ble transmission element notched 242a, 242b. The movable translation element of each coupling member 340a, 340b, which is driven in displacement by a toothed wheel 351 of the drive means 350, is as for the third embodiment, the flexible transmission element 342a, 342b. Likewise, two double return pulleys 344a, 344b are also necessary for the kinematics of displacement of the flexible transmission elements 342a, 342b in question.

  According to a not shown variant of this fourth embodiment, the notches provided along each looped and looped flexible transmission element 342a, 342b could be able, at the level of the zone to be concealed, to cooperate in interlocking manner. with holes of substantially complementary sections, formed along the corresponding lateral edge of the fabric 10. This feature would have the advantage of allowing the transverse retention of the fabric 10 when the latter moves with respect to the area to be obscured.

  Be that as it may, it is important to note that this feature implies that each notched flexible transmission element 342a, 342b is in the form of a loop. It is indeed essential that at the level of the area to be obscured, a portion of the flexible transmission element 3L2a, 342b always moves parallel to the fabric 10, so that these two elements are truly able to remain solidarity.

  FIG. 5 represents an occulting device 400 which complies with a fifth embodiment of the invention. This is relatively close to the fourth previously described. However, it differs in that the rotary transmission element 443a, 443b of each coupling member 440a, 440b is here connected to the winding tube 20 via an elastic return means 441a, 441b which is able to exert a torsional force between said rotary transmission element 443a, 443b and said winding tube 20. In this sense it is also close to the occulting device 100 object of the second embodiment of the invention.

  Of course, the invention more generally relates to any motor vehicle having at least one occultation device 1, 100, 200, 300, 400 as previously described.

Claims (18)

  1. A concealment device (1, 100, 200, 300, 400) comprising a web (10), two opposite ends (11, 12) of which are respectively integral with a winding tube (20) mounted to rotate axially with respect to a gap of an area to be concealed, and a draw bar (30) movably mounted in displacement along the zone to be concealed, the fabric (10) being mounted movably in displacement between a storage position in which it is wrapped around the retractor tube (20) and an extended position in which it extends opposite the area to be concealed, the occulting device (1, 100, 200, 300, 400) further comprising at least one member ( 40a, 40b, 140a, 140b, 240a, 240b, 340a, 340b, 440a, 440b) adapted to couple the displacement of the draw bar (30) with the axial rotation of the winding tube (20) when the fabric (10) is driven in displacement between the storage position and the deployed position, characterized in that each coupling member (40a, 40b, 140a, 140b, 240a, 240b, 340a, 340b, 440a, 440b) comprises at least one resilient return means (41a, 41b, 141a, 141b, 241a, 241b, 341a, 341b, 441a, 441b) which is adapted to the web longitudinally in tension between the draw bar (30) and the winding tube (20), and which is an integral part of the transmission chain ensuring the coupling in displacement of said draw bar 30) with said winding tube (20) .   2. Device for concealment (1, 100, 200, 300, 400) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two coupling members (40a, 40b, 140a, 140b, 240a, 240b, 340a, 340b, 440a, 440b) which are respectively capable of displaceably coupling each end (31, 32) of the drawing bar (30) with the corresponding end (21, 22) of the winding tube (20), when the fabric (10) is driven in displacement between the storage position and the deployed position.   3. Device for concealment (1, 100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each coupling member (40a, 40b, 140a, 140b, 240a, 240b, 340a, 340b, 440a, 440b) comprises a flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b, 242a, 242b, 342a, 342b, 442a, 442b) which is connected to the draw bar (30) and which is adapted to cooperate in drive with a rotary transmission element (43a, 43b, 143a, 143b, 243a, 243b, 343a, 343b, 443a, 443b) connected to the winding tube (30).   4. Device for concealment (1, 200, 300) according to claim 3, characterized in that each flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 242a, 242b, 342a, 342b) is connected to the draw bar (30) via an elastic return means (41a, 41b, 241a, 241b, 341a, 341b) adapted to exert a pulling force between said flexible transmission member (42a, 42b, 242a, 242b, 342a, 342b) and said pull bar (30).   5. Device for concealment (1, 200, 300) according to claim 4, characterized in that the resilient return means (41a, 41b, 241a, 241b, 341a, 341b) is constituted by a cylindrical traction spring including a end is secured to the flexible transmission member (42a, 42b, 242a, 242b, 342a, 342b) and whose other end is secured to the draw bar (30).   The concealment device (100, 400) according to claim 3, characterized in that each rotary transmission element (143a, 143b, 443a, 443b) is connected to the winding tube (20) via a means resilient return member (141a, 141b, 441a, 441b) adapted to exert a torsional force between said member. rotary transmission (143a, 143b, 443a, 443b) and said winding tube (20).   7. Device for concealment (100, 400) according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic return means (141a, 141b, 441a, 441b) is constituted by a spiral spring whose end is secured to the element of rotary transmission (143a, 143b, 443a, 443b) and whose other end is secured to the winding tube (20).   8. Device for concealment (1, 100, 200) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that each flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b, 242a, 242b) has a linear form one end of which is connected to the draw bar: 30) and the other end of which is connected to the rotary transmission element (43a, 43b, 143a, 143b, 243a, 243b).   The concealment device (200) according to claim 8, characterized in that the end of each flexible transmission element (242a, 242b) co-operates in drive with the corresponding rotary transmission element (243a, 243b). , ends in dead strand.   The concealment device (1, 100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the end of each flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b) co-operates in drive with the rotary transmission element. (43a, 43b, 143a, 143b) is integral with said rotary transmission member (43a, 43b, 143a, 143b).   A concealment device (300, 400) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that each flexible transmission element (342a, 342b, 442a, 442b) is in the form of a loop which is connected the draw bar (30) on the one hand, and which cooperates in drive with the element. corresponding rotary transmission (343a, 343b, 443a, 443b) on the other hand.   12. Device for concealment (200, 300, 400) according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that each rotary transmission element (243a, 243b, 343a, 343b, 443a, 443b) is constituted by a toothed pinion which is adapted to cooperate in meshing with a notched flexible transmission element (242a, 242b, 342a, 342b, 442a, 442b).   An obscuration device (300, 400) according to claim 12, characterized in that each notched flexible transmission element (342a, 342b, 442a, 442b) is in the form of a loop which is connected to the bar for pulling (30) on the one hand, and co-operating in drive with the corresponding rotary transmission element (343a, 343b, 443a, 443b) on the other hand, and in that the detents along said transmission element notched flexible (342a, 342b, 442a, 442b) are able, at the area to be concealed, to cooperate in engagement with holes of substantially complementary sections, formed along the corresponding lateral edge of the fabric (10).   14. Device for concealment (1, 100) according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that each rotary transmission element (43a, L3b, 143a, 143b) is constituted by a pulley which is adapted to cooperate in winding with a flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b) of any profile.   15. Device for concealment (1, 100) according to claim 14, characterized in that each flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b) is in the form of a loop which is connected to the bar of pulling (30) on the one hand, and co-operating in drive with the corresponding rotational transmission element (43a, 43b, 143a, 143b) on the other hand, and in that furthermore said flexible transmission element (42a, 42b, 142a, 142b) has protruding portions which are regularly distributed over its length and which are adapted to cooperate in interlocking, at the level of the area to be concealed, with holes of substantially complementary cross-section, formed along the corresponding lateral edge of the canvas (10).   16. Device for concealment (200, 300, 400) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises motor means (250, 350, 450) adapted to drive the web (10 ) between the storage position and the deployed position.   17. Device for concealment (200, 300, 400) according to claim 16, characterized in that the motor means (250, 350, 450) are adapted to drive in displacement a movable transmission element (242a, 242b, 243a, 243b, 342a, 342b, 343a, 343b, 442a, 442b, 443a, 443b) of each coupling member (240a, 240b, 340a, 340b, 440a, 440b).   18. Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises at least one occultation device (1, 100, 200, 300, 400) according to any one of preceding claims.