FR3136498A1 - HINGE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR, AND MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH A HINGE - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE: HINGE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR, AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A HINGE The present invention relates to a hinge (3) for a motor vehicle door, comprising a shaft (34) pivotally mounted relative to the vehicle chassis, two connecting rods (35 , 36) parallel, a first end of which is assembled to the shaft (34) by pivot connections (351, 361) and a second end is assembled to the door by pivot connections (352, 362), the axes of the connections pivots being parallel to each other and forming, in a plane perpendicular to these axes, a deformable parallelogram, the hinge (3) comprising means for maintaining the connecting rods (35, 36) in an angular position, relative to the shaft (34 ), determined as a function of the angular position of the shaft (34) relative to the chassis. Abstract Figure: Figure 10

Description

HINGE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR, AND MOTOR VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH A HINGE Field of the invention

The present invention relates to motor vehicles.

In particular, the invention relates to the connection mechanisms connecting the doors to a motor vehicle.

Prior art

Motor vehicles generally have movable doors allowing access to the passenger compartment of the vehicle and closing it.

These doors are connected to the vehicle chassis via a connecting mechanism which is often constituted by a hinge with a substantially vertical axis. Such hinges are in very common use and the handling of doors connected to a vehicle by these hinges is easy for users.

However, in certain cases, opening a door connected to the vehicle chassis by such a hinge can cause inconvenience. This is for example the case when the vehicle chassis is particularly low. In such a situation, the door which opens by rotating around a vertical axis is very close to the ground and can sometimes collide with an obstacle, such as a sidewalk.

Other types of vehicle door connection mechanisms are also known. Some of these connecting mechanisms are specially intended for doors with a so-called “butterfly” opening, or for doors with a so-called “elytron” opening, which can open by rotation around a horizontal axis. We also know sliding doors that can open by sliding, remaining constantly parallel to the same plane. Such door-to-vehicle connection mechanisms are, however, complex to manufacture, and their handling is not easy for users who are not accustomed to them. Furthermore, the opening kinematics of such doors are not compatible with all types or all configurations of motor vehicles.
Objectives of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the invention aims to offer a new type of mechanism for connecting a door to a motor vehicle, which allows suitable movement of the door, between its open position and its closed position, different from the movements permitted by existing linking mechanisms.

• un arbre monté pivotant par rapport à l’élément de fixation au châssis, autour d’un axe de charnière,
• deux bielles parallèles, une première extrémité de chacune de ces bielles étant assemblée par une liaison pivot à l’arbre et une seconde extrémité de chacune de ces bielles étant assemblée par une autre liaison pivot à l’élément de fixation à la portière, les axes de ces liaisons pivots étant parallèles entre eux et formant, dans un plan perpendiculaire à ces axes des liaisons pivots, un parallélogramme déformable, et
• des moyens de maintien des bielles dans une position angulaire, par rapport à l’arbre, déterminée en fonction de la position angulaire de l’arbre par rapport à l’élément de fixation au châssis .

These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly later, are achieved using a hinge for a motor vehicle door, capable of connecting this door to the vehicle chassis, so that the door can move from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, this hinge comprising at least one fixing element to the chassis and at least one fixing element to the door, this hinge forming an articulation comprising:

• a shaft mounted to pivot relative to the chassis fixing element, around a hinge axis,
• two parallel connecting rods, a first end of each of these connecting rods being assembled by a pivot connection to the shaft and a second end of each of these connecting rods being assembled by another pivot connection to the fixing element to the door, the axes of these pivot connections being parallel to each other and forming, in a plane perpendicular to these axes of the pivot connections, a deformable parallelogram, and
• means for maintaining the connecting rods in an angular position, relative to the shaft, determined as a function of the angular position of the shaft relative to the fastening element to the chassis.

Thus, this hinge advantageously forms an articulation allowing rotation of the element fixing to the door relative to the element fixing to the chassis, around the hinge axis, combined with a translation of this fixing element to the door relative to the element for fixing to the frame, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

Advantageously, the means for holding the connecting rods comprise at least one ramp integral with the fixing element to the chassis, one of the connecting rods bearing on the ramp during the rotation of the shaft relative to the fixing element to the chassis.

This ramp advantageously extends over a trajectory partially surrounding the hinge axis, remaining at a constant distance from this hinge axis. The support of a connecting rod on the ramp advantageously makes it possible to vary in a controlled manner, during the rotation of the shaft, the shape of the deformable parallelogram constituted by the shaft, the connecting rods, and the fixing element to the door, and therefore to move this element for fixing the door relative to the shaft, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

Preferably, the means for holding the connecting rods comprise two ramps each secured to a fixing element to the chassis, each of these connecting rods bearing on one of the ramps during the rotation of the shaft relative to the element fixing to the chassis, the support of one of the connecting rods on a first of the ramps, in a given angular position of the shaft relative to the element for fixing to the chassis, maintaining the other of the connecting rods resting on the second of the ramps.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the connecting rods is supported on one of the ramps via a roller mounted movable in rotation on the connecting rod and rolling on the ramp, during the rotation of the shaft relative to the fastening element to the chassis.

The movement of the connecting rod, resting on the ramp, is thus facilitated, avoiding friction and wear.

Preferably, each of the connecting rods rests on one of the ramps via a roller mounted movable in rotation on the connecting rod and rolling on the ramp, during the rotation of the shaft relative to the element fixing to the chassis.

Preferably, the ramp(s) have a predefined slope varying gradually during the opening or closing movement.

This slope being variable, it allows the speed of vertical movement of the door to vary during the closing or opening movement of the door.

Advantageously, the hinge comprises at least one cylinder acting on one of the connecting rods.

Such a cylinder can for example constitute a spring, a shock absorber, or a cylinder for actuating the opening and/or closing of the door.

Advantageously, this cylinder is secured, by its lower end, to the fixing element to the chassis, and by its upper end to that of the connecting rod which is located highest.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle implementing at least one hinge as described above, controlling a movement in height of the door, simultaneously with an opening or closing movement thereof, around a substantially vertical axis of rotation.

The invention also relates to a hinge for a motor vehicle door, capable of connecting the door to the chassis of a vehicle, so that the door can move from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, this hinge comprising at least one element for fixing to the frame and at least one element for fixing to the door, this hinge forming an articulation allowing rotation of the element for fixing to the door relative to the element for fixing to the chassis, around a hinge axis, this rotation being combined with a translation of the element fastening to the door relative to the element fastening to the chassis, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

Advantageously, this translation of the element for fixing to the door relative to the element for fixing to the chassis is correlated in a non-proportional manner to the rotation of the element for fixing to the door relative to the element for fixing to the frame.
List of Figures

• La est une vue de côté partielle d’un véhicule automobile dont la portière avant est fermée.
• La est une vue de côté partielle du véhicule de la dont la portière avant est ouverte.
• La est une vue en perspective partielle du véhicule de la dont la portière avant est fermée.
• La est une vue partielle du véhicule de la dont la portière avant est partiellement ouverte.
• La est une vue partielle du véhicule de la dont la portière avant est ouverte.
• La est une vue de dessus d’une charnière de portière mise en œuvre dans le véhicule de la , dans sa position correspondant à la fermeture de la portière.
• La est une vue de dessus de la charnière de la , dans sa position correspondant à l’ouverture de la portière.
• La est une vue de côté de la charnière de la , dans sa position correspondant à la fermeture de la portière.
• La est une vue de côté de la charnière de la , dans sa position correspondant à l’ouverture de la portière.
• La est une autre vue de côté de la charnière la , dans sa position correspondant à l’ouverture de la portière.
• La est une vue de détail, de côté, montrant une partie de la charnière représentée par la , dans sa position correspondant à la fermeture de la portière.
• La est une vue de détail, de côté, montrant une partie de la charnière représentée par la , dans sa position correspondant à l’ouverture de la portière.
• La est une autre vue de détail, de côté, montrant une partie de la charnière représentée par la , dans sa position correspondant à l’ouverture de la portière.

Description détaillée de modes de réalisation de l’inventionThe invention will be better understood on reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given as a simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures among which:

• There is a partial side view of a motor vehicle with the front door closed.
• There is a partial side view of the vehicle of the whose front door is open.
• There is a partial perspective view of the vehicle of the whose front door is closed.
• There is a partial view of the vehicle of the whose front door is partially open.
• There is a partial view of the vehicle of the whose front door is open.
• There is a top view of a door hinge implemented in the vehicle of the , in its position corresponding to the closing of the door.
• There is a top view of the hinge of the , in its position corresponding to the opening of the door.
• There is a side view of the hinge of the , in its position corresponding to the closing of the door.
• There is a side view of the hinge of the , in its position corresponding to the opening of the door.
• There is another side view of the hinge , in its position corresponding to the opening of the door.
• There is a detailed side view showing part of the hinge represented by the , in its position corresponding to the closing of the door.
• There is a detailed side view showing part of the hinge represented by the , in its position corresponding to the opening of the door.
• There is another detailed side view showing part of the hinge represented by the , in its position corresponding to the opening of the door.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 and 2 represent the front part of a motor vehicle 1 according to one embodiment of the invention, in side view. This motor vehicle 1 presents, in a conventional manner, a front door 2. In the configuration represented by the , this door 2 is in the closed position. In the configuration represented by , this door 2 is in the open position. The passage of this door 2 from its closed position to its open position is essentially done by rotation around a substantially vertical axis of rotation 20, connecting the front edge of the door 2 to the chassis of the vehicle 1.

This movement of the door 2 between its closed position and its open position is however not limited to a simple rotation around the axis of rotation 20. Indeed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the distance of the door 21 with the ground is greater in the open position of this door than in its closed position, including at the level of the axis of rotation 20. The movement of the door 2 between its closed position and its open position, and vice versa, is therefore, according to the invention, a combined movement of rotation around the substantially horizontal axis 20 and of translation along this axis 20.

Figures 3 to 5 show, in perspective, the motor vehicle 1 in which the front door 2 is in the closed position on the , in the partially open position on the and in the open position on the . It can be seen in these figures that the height of door 2 relative to the ground varies very little, between the closed position of door 2 and its partially open position of the and that on the contrary it increases significantly between the partially open position of the and the fully open position of the .

During the opening or closing movement of the door 2, combining a rotation of the door, relative to the vehicle chassis, around the axis 20 and a translation of the door, relative to the vehicle chassis, the along this axis 20, the translation movement is therefore not proportional to the angular movement of the door around axis 20.

Such a door opening method is particularly advantageous. It allows door 2 to be placed at a greater distance from the ground when it is in its maximum opening position. The risk of the door colliding with an obstacle such as a sidewalk is thus reduced.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the opening of the door 2 is done by bypassing a rear-view mirror 11, which is fixedly connected to the chassis of the motor vehicle, on the amount of the windshield. More precisely, during its passage from its closed position represented by the to its partially open position represented by the , the door 2 passes under the rearview mirror 11 which is fixed on the windshield pillar. This passage is possible thanks to the fact that the height of the door 2 increases only very little between its closed position and its partially open position represented by the .

Finally, the movement of the door 2 represented by Figures 1 to 5 is close to the classic door opening movements of vehicles of the prior art, which implement a simple rotation around a substantially vertical axis. Users can thus manipulate the door 2 very easily, sometimes even without realizing that its opening mechanism is different from that of vehicle doors of the prior art.

The connection between the vehicle chassis and the door is made by a connection mechanism constituting an articulation allowing the rotation of the door around an axis, combined with the translation of this door along this same axis. In the present description of the invention, this connecting mechanism is designated by the term "hinge", even if it is distinguished from the door hinges of the prior art which only allow a simple rotation of the door, without translation.

Figures 6 to 10 represent such a hinge 3 according to a possible embodiment of the invention. This hinge 3 comprises a lower anchoring part 31 and an upper anchoring part 32, which form fixing elements to the chassis, intended to be fixedly connected to the chassis of the vehicle 1. It also includes a support plate 33, which forms a door fixing element, intended to be fixedly connected to the door 2 of the vehicle.

Figures 6 and 7 show the hinge 3, respectively in its closed position corresponding to the closing of the vehicle door and in its open position corresponding to the opening of the vehicle door, in top view, in a substantially normal plane to axis 30 of this hinge. As shown in this figure, the support plate 33 rotates around this axis 20 between the closed position and the open position of the hinge.
Figures 8 and 9 show the hinge 3, respectively in its closed position corresponding to the closing of the vehicle door and in its open position corresponding to the opening of the vehicle door in side view, in a plane substantially parallel to the axis 30 of this hinge. As shown in this figure, the support plate 33 performs, between the closed position and the open position of the hinge, a translation movement, parallel to the axis 30, at the same time as its rotation around this axis 30.

The lower 31 and upper 32 anchoring parts of the hinge 3 carry a shaft 34 which is pivotally mounted relative to the anchoring parts 31 and 32, around an axis of rotation which corresponds to the axis 30 of the hinge 3. For this, the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper 32 have coaxial bearings into which the two ends of the shaft 34 are inserted.

The hinge 3 also comprises two connecting rods of identical length, the upper connecting rod 35 and the lower connecting rod 36. A first end of the upper connecting rod 35 is connected to the shaft 34 by a pivot connection 351, with an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis 30 of rotation, and located near the upper anchoring piece 32. A first end of the lower connecting rod 36 is connected to the shaft 34 by a pivot connection 361, with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the pivot connection 361, and located near the upper anchoring part 32.

The second ends of each of these upper 35 and lower 36 connecting rods are connected to the plate 33 via pivot connections, respectively 352 and 362, whose axes are parallel to those of the pivot connections 351 and 361 of the first ends of the connecting rods . The positions of the pivot connections 351 and 361 between the connecting rods 35 and 36 and the shaft 34 and of the pivot connections 352 and 362 between the connecting rods 35 and 36 and the plate 33 are chosen in such a way that the axes of rotation of these four connections pivots form, in a plane perpendicular to these axes of rotation, a parallelogram.

The assembly formed by the shaft 34, the plate 33 and the two connecting rods 35 and 36 thus forms a deformable parallelogram allowing the plate 33 to move, relative to the shaft 34, in a translational movement, the plane defined by the axes of the pivot connections 351 and 361 between the shaft 34 and the connecting rods 35 and 36 remaining parallel to the plane defined by the axes of the pivot connections 352 and 362 between the plate 33 and the connecting rods 35 and 36.

The translation of the plate 33 relative to the shaft 34 is not a perfectly rectilinear translation movement, but a circular translation over a restricted angular range. For small deformation movements of the deformable parallelogram, for example when the connecting rods form angles of between 70° and 110° with the shaft 34, this translation is however very close to a rectilinear translation. It is therefore described below as a rectilinear translation.

The hinge 3 therefore allows the plate 33 to move, relative to the anchoring parts 31 and 32, by rotation around the axis 30 and by a movement which can be assimilated to a translation movement in a direction parallel to this same axis 30.

In the embodiment shown, the hinge 3 also comprises a spring cylinder 37, mounted between the lower anchoring part 31 and the upper connecting rod 35. This spring cylinder 37 makes it possible to assist certain phases of the movement of the door by relative to the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the hinge also comprises a flexible sheath 38, one end of which is connected to the plate 33 and the other end is capable of being assembled to the structure of the vehicle 1. This flexible sheath 38, which allows the cable passage between the structure of the vehicle 1 and the door 2 is deformable and has no impact on the movements of the door 2 relative to the vehicle 1.

The shape of the deformable parallelogram formed by the shaft 34, the plate 33 and the two connecting rods 35 and 36 is advantageously determined as a function of the angular position of the shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper 32, and therefore relative to the chassis of the vehicle 1. This means that this deformable parallelogram is forced to take a unique shape for each angular position of the shaft 34 relative to the chassis of the vehicle 1. Consequently, the door 2 takes a position in height , relative to the chassis of the vehicle 1, which is unique and predetermined for each opening angle of the door.

To carry out this determination of the shape of the deformable parallelogram, means are used for holding the upper 35 and lower 36 connecting rods, in a variable angular position depending on the angular position of the shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and higher 32.

These holding means comprise, in the embodiment represented by the figures, two ramps 311 and 321, respectively secured to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper 32. The lower connecting rod 36 and the upper connecting rod 35 are supported, respectively, on these ramps 311 and 321, during the rotation of this shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper 32. This support has the effect of maintaining the lower connecting rod 36 and the upper connecting rod 35 at a determined angular position, relative to the shaft 34, for each angular position of the shaft 34 relative to the lower 31 and upper 32 anchoring parts.

The ramp 311, carried by the lower anchoring part 31, is clearly visible in the detailed views of Figures 11, 12 and 13. The ramp 321, carried by the upper anchoring part 32, is similar.

In practice, during the rotation of this shaft 34 relative to the lower 31 and upper 32 anchoring parts, the ramp 321 remains in sliding contact with the top of the upper connecting rod 35, while the ramp 311 remains in sliding contact with the bottom of the lower connecting rod 36. The contact of each of these ramps with the connecting rod associated with it therefore prevents the other connecting rod from moving away from the ramp associated with it. The contacts of these two ramps with the connecting rods therefore constrain the deformable parallelogram formed by the shaft 34, the plate 33 and the two connecting rods 35 and 36 to a single position, which can vary during the rotation of the shaft 34 by relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper 32.

The ramps 311 and 321 advantageously extend at a constant distance from the axis 30, over the entire angular range corresponding to the movement between the open position and the closed position of the hinge 3. Each of these ramps thus offers a support, permanently, to the same area of the connecting rod associated with it.

Advantageously, each of the upper 35 and lower 36 connecting rods is equipped with a roller, respectively 353 and 363, mounted movable in rotation on the connecting rod and which, during the rotation of the shaft 34 relative to the parts of The lower anchor 31 and upper 32, rolls on the ramp associated with the connecting rod. Such a roller ensures support of the connecting rod on the ramp which generates very little friction, and is very little subject to wear.

Advantageously, the two ramps 311 and 321 have complementary shapes, which vary according to their angular position, around the axis 30. These ramps 311 and 321 thus have predefined slopes varying gradually, which allow progressive movement in height of the plate 33, and therefore of the door 2, during its rotation around the axis 30.

In the embodiment shown, these slopes of the ramps 311 and 321 are more or less steep depending on their angular position around the axis 30. The speed of movement in height of the plate 33 is therefore not proportional to its speed of movement. rotation around axis 30. On the contrary, this movement in height can be slow in certain angular zones, for example when the door is close to its closed position, and faster in other angular zones, for example when the door is close to its open position.

For example, the radius of the slope of the ramp can be small at the start of the opening, to quickly shift the door upwards during the first part of the opening, in particular so that the door 2 passes above a sidewalk, then is larger, even infinite, to complete the opening of the door 2. Conversely, according to another approach, it is possible to provide a large radius at the start of the opening, the door 2 shifting little initially, then a smaller radius at the end of opening, the door 2 thus being able to give the impression of rotating around a rear-view mirror, if the latter is fixed in relation to the amount of the windshield.

In other embodiments, it is also possible to implement more complex ramp shapes, including where appropriate one or more recesses making it possible to define stopping positions of the door in an intermediate opening position. Conversely, in a simple approach, the slope of the ramp can be constant.

In the embodiments shown, the ramp consists of a simple track on which the rollers carried by the connecting rods can roll. It is also possible, in other embodiments, that the ramp can form a guide rail, on which a suitable wheel can roll.

Claims (9)

Hinge (3) for a motor vehicle door, capable of connecting said door (2) to the chassis of said vehicle (1), so that said door (2) can move from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa ,
said hinge (3) comprising at least one element for fixing to the frame (31, 32) and at least one element for fixing to the door (33),
characterized in that said hinge(3) forms a joint comprising:

• a shaft (34) pivotally mounted relative to said chassis fixing element (31, 32), around a hinge axis (30),
• two parallel connecting rods (35, 36), a first end of each of said connecting rods (35, 36) being assembled by a pivot connection (351, 361) to said shaft (34) and a second end of each of said connecting rods (35, 36) being assembled by another pivot connection (352, 362) to said door fixing element (33), the axes of said pivot connections (351, 361, 352, 362) being parallel to each other and forming, in a plane perpendicular to said axes said pivot connections (351, 361, 352, 362), a deformable parallelogram, and
• means for maintaining said connecting rods (35, 36) in an angular position, relative to said shaft (34), determined as a function of the angular position of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis fixing element (31, 32).

Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for holding said connecting rods (35, 36) comprise at least one ramp (311, 321) secured to said chassis fixing element (31, 32), one of said connecting rods ( 35, 36) bearing on said ramp (311, 321) during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis attachment element (31, 32). Hinge according to claim 2, characterized in that said means for holding said connecting rods (35, 36) comprise two ramps (311, 321) each integral with said or one of said fixing elements to the chassis (31, 32), each said connecting rods (35, 36) bearing on one of said ramps (311, 321) during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis fixing element (31, 32), the support of one of said connecting rods (35, 36) on a first of said ramps (311, 321), in a given angular position of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis fixing element (31, 32), maintaining the other of said connecting rods (35, 36) resting on the second of said ramps (311, 321). Hinge according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that at least one of said connecting rods (35, 36) bears on one of said ramps (311, 321) via a roller (353 , 363) mounted movable in rotation on said connecting rod (35, 36) and rolling on said ramp (311, 321), during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said fastening element to the chassis (31, 32). Hinge according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that each of said connecting rods (35, 36) bears on one of said ramps (311, 321) via a roller (353, 363) mounted movable in rotation on said connecting rod (35, 36) and rolling on said ramp (311, 321), during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis attachment element (31, 32). Hinge according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said ramp(s) (311, 321) have a predefined slope varying progressively during said opening or closing movement. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one jack (37) acting on one of said connecting rods (35, 36). Hinge according to claim 6, characterized in that said jack (37) is secured, by its lower end, to said chassis fixing element (31, 32), and by its upper end to that of said connecting rods (35, 36) which is located the highest. Motor vehicle (1) implementing at least one hinge (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, controlling a movement in height of said door (2), simultaneously with an opening or closing movement of that -here, around a substantially vertical axis of rotation (20).