GB2329930A

GB2329930A - Hinge for the Swivelling Adjustment of a Motor Vehicle Door

Info

Publication number: GB2329930A
Application number: GB9820960A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Horst Betzen
Original assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Current assignee: Daimler Benz AG
Priority date: 1997-10-04
Filing date: 1998-09-25
Publication date: 1999-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-25
Also published as: IT1302349B1; FR2772415A1; ITRM980618A1; GB2329930B; DE19743962B4; GB9820960D0; DE19743962A1; FR2772415B1

Abstract

A hinge member for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door having first and second hinge members (2,4) with common hinge bolt (3), locking means (9) securing the hinge members (2,4) releasably at least in one position consisting of a locking bolt (9) which is arranged on the first hinge member (2), bears radially, under spring force, against a sleeve-shaped region surrounding the hinge bolt (9) of the second hinge member and when the opening position which is to be secured is reached, penetrates into an opening (13) provided in the sleeve-shaped region, the locking bolt (9) being driven counter to the spring force by means of an armature (8) and coil (7) on the first hinge member activated by a switch (14) located for example on the inside of the door close to the door handle. The hinge may be locked at 90‹ and 270‹ positions.

Description

1 Hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door 2329930 lle

invention relates to a hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door.

Hinges of this type are used in particular for the rear doors of a boxtype delivery van, which rear doors in each case open around a vertical axis. According to legal regulations, these doors have to be automatically secured in an opening position of about 90. For this purpose, the known hinges are, for example, provided with an arm which is mounted on the door in a manner such that said arm can swivel around an axis running parallel to the swivelling axis of the door, and is pretensioned, by spring-loading, against a guide fastened to the door pillar or door frame. When the door is opened, the free end of the arm slides along the guide and, when the door is opened by about 90', latches into a catch hook of the guide. In order to be able to open the door still further, this latching connection between the free end of the arm and the catch hook of the guide has to be released. For this purpose, the door has first to be closed again by a certain angle. In this position, the arm can then be removed counter to its spring pretensioning by hand from the guide, with the result that it does not come into contact with the catch hook during the subsequent opening movement of the door. In this procedure, the user has to use both hands in order, on the one hand, to keep the arm away from the guide and, on the other hand, to move the door. The rear doors can then be opened by, for example, about 270 and come to rest laterally against the longitudinal side walls of the vehicle. The procedure to be able to open the rear doors by more than 90 is thus relatively awkward and user-unfriendly. Moreover, parts of the hinge, for example the spring-loaded arm, protrude from the vehicle door, these components thereby being subject to damage or being able to cause injury.

In the case of a hinge of the type mentioned at the beginning, the present invention seeks to simplify the opening of the door by more than a predetermined angle, the intention being to ensure automatic locking or securing of the door when the door reaches the opening position with the predetermined opening angle.

According to the present invention there is provided a hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door between a closed position and at least one opening position, having a first hinge loop and a second hinge loop, which loops 2 are mounted so as to be swivellable together via a common hinge bolt, locking means, with which the hinge loops are secured releasably at least in one position with a predetermined opening angle, being provided, the locking means consisting of a locking bolt arranged on the first hinge loop, which locking bolt bears radially, under spring force, against a sleeve-shaped region, surrounding the hinge bolt, of the second hinge loop, and, when the opening position which is to be secured is reached, penetrates into an opening provided in the sleeve-shaped region, to release the lock, the locking bolt being driven counter to the spring force by means of an armature penetrating into an electric coil fastened to the first hinge loop when the coil is subjected to a switching current via a switch, the locking bolt and the armature being produced as a single part.

The invention is based here on the general idea of providing one of the hinge loops with a radial opening, with regard to the hinge bolt, into which opening a locking bolt, which is arranged on the other hinge loop and is pretensioned radially with regard to the hinge bolt, latches when the predetermined angular position of the door is reached, which locking bolt can be withdrawn from the opening "at the push of a button" with the aid of electromagnetic forces. To release this locking, the locking bolt is coupled, according to the invention, to an armature, part of which penetrates into a coil and which is pulled further into this coil when the coil is subjected to an electrical switching current. The coil is subjected to current via a switch. In a particular embodiment, this switch may also be formed from a contact sensor.

Accordingly, in order to be able further to open the door locked in the opening position with the predetermined angle, or in order to close this door again, the switch generates an electromagnetic force in the coil, which force pulls the armature, and hence the locking bolt coupled to it, into the coil or withdraws it from the opening of the hinge loop. The locking or securing is thereby cancelled and the door can be freely swivelled with respect to the vehicle, as can the hinge loops with respect to one another.

Apart from the convenient release operation of the hinge according to the invention, there is also the advantage that components do not protrude from the vehicle or from the door, and thus damage to these components or by these components is avoided.

Claims

A preferred embodiment having the features of Claim 2 proposes a

3 particularly space-saying arrangement of the locking means, with the result that a particularly large loading opening is produced, for example, in the case of opened rear doors of a motor vehicle.

An embodiment having the features of Claim 3 indicates an advantageous arrangement of the switch for releasing the locking, the switch thereby being easily reachable and it being possible to open the door completely, in particular using one hand.

An embodiment having the features of Claim 4 achieves the result that as the door is being closed, i.e. as the opening angle of a door opened by more than the predetermined angle decreases, the locking bolt does not latch into the opening on the hinge loop when the door reaches its predetermined opening position. Means of this type may, for example, be angle sensors or the like. These measures make it possible to close a door which has been swivelled by more than the predetermined angle rapidly and, in particular, vigorously without the risk of damage.

The opening for receiving the locking bolt is, in accordance with Claim 5, expediently arranged in such a manner that the result is a predetermined ope g angle which corresponds to a door opened by about 90.

Another preferred embodiment can have the features of Claim 6, which features make it possible for the particular door also to be secured in an opening position of about 270.

Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims and from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the figures. The figures each schematically show the following:

Fig. 1 a plan view, in the direction of the swivelling axis of the hinge, of a hinge according to the invention in the closed position of a door (not shown) held by said hinge, Fig. 2 a plan view as in Fig. 1, but with a door opened by about W, and Fig. 3 a plan view as in Fig. 1, but with a door opened by about 180.

According to Fig. 1 a hinge 1 according to the invention has a first hinge loop 2 which in the embodiment is to be connected to a door (not shown) of a motor vehicle (likewise not shown). In addition, the hinge 1 has a second hinge loop 4 connected swivelably to the first hinge loop 2 via a hinge bolt 3 running 4 perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing. This second hinge loop 4 is fastened, for example, to a frame or pillar (likewise not shown) of the motor vehicle.

In the closed position of the door, which is shown in Fig. 1, the hinge loops 2 and 4 are aligned approximately parallel to each other. The hinge loops 2 and 4 have arranged between them a locking unit 5 whose housing 6 is fastened to the first hinge loop 2. An electric coil 7, in which an armature 8 is arranged coaxially and such that it can be displaced axially, is arranged in the housing 6 of the locking unit 5. At that end of the armature 8 which protrudes axially out of the coil 7, i.e. in accordance with Fig. 1 at the left-hand end of the armature 8, said armature is connected to a locking bolt 9. In accordance with the embodiment shown, this locking bolt 9 and the armature 8 are preferably designed as a single part.

In the embodiment, the armature 8 or the locking bolt 9 is provided with a circumferential collar 10 which protrudes radially outwards and on which is supported a helical compression spring 11 which is arranged under pretension between the collar 10 and the coil 7 or a corresponding coil housing. In another embodiment (not shown), a helical compression spring can act axially on that end face of the bolt 9 which faces the coil 7, and can be supported, for exarnple, on the housing of the coil 7 in order to bring about the pretensioning of the bolt 9. On that side which faces away from the helical compression spring 11, the collar 10 forms an end stop which comes to rest on the housing 6 of the locking unit 5 in the event of a maximum displacement out of the coil 7 being reached. The collar 10 thus forms a means of securing the bolt 9 of the locking unit 5 against being lost. However, in the installed state, such a means of securing against being lost is no longer necessary and thus, in another embodiment, the locking unit 5 or the bolt 9 also does without the collar 10.

The helical compression spring 11 pretensions the locking bolt 9 radially against a sleeve-shaped region 12 of the second hinge loop 4, which coaxially surrounds the hinge bolt 3. The locking unit 5 is fastened to the first hinge loop 2 in such a manner that its armature 8, or the locking bolt 9 thereof, extends radially with respect to the hinge bolt 3. In the same radial plane in which the locking bolt 9 comes to rest on the sleeve-shaped region 12 of the second hinge loop 4, an opening 13, which runs radially with regard to the hinge bolt 3, is made in this region 12 but preferably offset by about 90' with regard to the rest location of the locking bolt 9.

The coil 7 can be connected to a current supply via a switch 14, with the result that an electromagnetic field is induced in the coil 7, which field generates a force which pulls the armature 8 into the coil 7 or away from the hinge bolt 3.

As the door is being opened, the first hinge loop 2, which is fastened thereon, swivels around the hinge bolt 3. When the door or the first hinge loop 2 reaches the predetermined opening position of about 90', the locking bolt 9 aligns with the opening 13, with the result that the locking bolt 9 can penetrate into the opening 13 as in Fig. 2. In this manner, the hinge loops 2 and 4 are latched in this 90 position with respect to each other, the door, which is opened to this extent, accordingly also being locked in this position. In order to close the door again or to be able to open the door even further, the switch 14, which can be located, for example, at handle height on the inside of the door, is actuated. The coil 7 of the locking unit 5 is then subjected to current, as a result of which its annature 8, and thus the locking bolt 9, is pulled into the coil 7. As this happens, the locking bolt 9 is moved completely out of the opening 13 so that the two hinge loops 2 and 4 can be moved freely again around the hinge bolt 3. The closure position shown in Fig. 1 or the opening position shown in Fig. 3, in which the door is opened by about 1800, can therefore be taken up without a problem.

For the opening position shown in Fig. 3 it would be possible to provide the sleeve-like region 12 of the second hinge loop 4 with an additional, radially extending opening of the opening 13 type, with the result that the door or the first hinge loop 2 can also be secured in this position.

In another embodiment, the hinge 1 can be designed in such a manner that between the hinge loops 2 and 4, swivelling movements of about 270' can be executed around the hinge bolt 3. In an extreme swivelling position of this type, the particular door would come to rest on the corresponding outer longitudinal wall of the vehicle. A securing means could likewise be advantageous in such a position, which securing means can then be provided in a corresponding manner by means of a further opening of opening 13 type likewise in the sleeve-shaped region 12 of the second hinge loop 4.

The invention offers the particular advantages of being able, in a convenient manner and without a problem, to cancel the locking of a door, with the 6 result that a door can be opened completely, in particular also using just one hand. Moreover, the invention makes possible a compact design without components which protrude outwards and which, with doors open, would be subject to damage or, for their part, could cause damage.

7 Claims 1. A hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door between a closed position and at least one opening position, having a first hinge loop and a second hinge loop, which loops are mounted so as to be swivellable together via a common hinge bolt, locking means, with which the hinge loops are secured releasably at least in one position with a predetermined opening angle, being provided, the locking means consisting of a locking bolt arranged on the first hinge loop, which locking bolt bears radially, under spring force, against a sleeve-shaped region, surrounding the hinge bolt, of the second hinge loop, and, when the opening position which is to be secured is reached, penetrates into an opening provided in the sleeve-shaped region, to release the lock, the locking bolt being driven counter to the spring force by means of an armature penetrating into an electric coil fastened to the first hinge loop when the coil is subjected to a switching current via a switch, the locking bolt and the armature being produced as a single part.
2. A hinge according to Claim 1, wherein the first hinge loop of the door and the second hinge loop are assigned to a door pillar, assigned to the door, of the motor vehicle.
3. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the switch is arranged on the inside of the door, approximately at the height of the door handles.
4. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein electrical and/or electronic means are provided, which means enable the locking bolt to penetrate into the opening in the sleeve-shaped region of the second hinge loop only as the door opening angle increases, while as the opening angle decreases, the means subjects the coil to switching current, at least in the angular region of the opening for the locking bolt.
5. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening is arranged in such a manner on the sleeve-shaped region of the second hinge loop that 8 the hinge loops are securable releasably in a position which corresponds to a door opened by about 90.
6. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second opening is provided in the sleeve-shaped region of the second hinge loop, which opening makes securing possible with the door opened by about 27T.
7. A hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. A hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

q Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A hinge for the swivelling adjustment of a motor vehicle door between a closed position and at least one opening position, having a first hinge connector and a second hinge connector, which connectors are mounted so as to be swivellable via a common hinge bolt, locking means, with which the hinge connectors are secured releasably at least in one position with a predetermined opening angle, being provided, the locking means consisting of a locking bolt arranged on the first hinge connector, which locking bolt bears radially, under spring force, against a sleeve-shaped region, surrounding the hinge bolt, of the second hinge connector, and, when the opening position which is to be secured is reached, penetrates into an opening provided in the sleeve-shaped region, to release the lock, the locking bolt being driven counter to the spring force by means of an armature penetrating into an electric coil fastened to the first hinge connector when the coil is subjected to a switching current via a switch, the locking bolt and the armature being produced as a single part wherein, electrical andlor electronic means are provided, which means enable the locking bolt to penetrate into the opening in the sleeve-shaped region of the second hinge connector only as the motor vehicle door opening angle increases, while as the opening angle decreases, the means subjects the coil to switching current, at least in the angular region of the opening for the locking bolt.

2. A hinge according to Claim 1, wherein the first hinge connector of the door and the second hinge connector are assigned to a door pillar, assigned to the motor vehicle door.

3. A hinge according to aclaim, 1 or claim 2, wherein the switch is arranged on the inside of the motor vehicle door, approximately at the height of a door handle for said motor vehicle door.

5. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening is arranged in such a manner on the sleeve-shaped region of the second hinge connector that the hinge connectors are securable releasably in a position which corresponds to the motor vehicle door opened by about 90.

6. A hinge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second opening is provided in the sleeve-shaped region of the second hinge connector, which opening makes securing possible with the motor vehicle opened by about 270 -.