EP1255014B1 - Structure and sliding door of a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a structure and door sliding motor vehicle.

The invention more particularly relates to an arrangement a sliding door of a motor vehicle having means for holding and guiding the door between a open position and a closed position relative to the vehicle structure, the holding and guiding means consisting of three cooperating arms respectively with three guide rails, the holding and guiding means (3 to 8) being dimensioned and arranged relatively so that the ends (B, C, A) of the arms (3, 5, 7) sliding in the rails (4, 6, 8) form the vertices (B, C, A) of a fictitious triangle (ABC) for holding the door as well well when the door is in the closed position than when it is in the open position, so that the door (1) is maintained only at three distinct points, in accordance with the preamble to main claim.

The document FR1577398 describes a door arrangement sliding vehicle with two articulated arms on the door respectively at the front and back of the door and sliding respectively in two rails on the structure, as well as two articulated arms on the structure and sliding respectively in two rails located on the door. The two door rails are located respectively in the lower part and halfway up the door. The two rails of the structure are located respectively substantially in the lower part and halfway up the door.

Such an arrangement allows maneuvering and maintaining the door during his travels however, he presents a complex and expensive structure, due in particular to the large number of elements necessary to maintain and guide the door.

JP09272343 A, FR-A-2 285 257, US-A-4 617 756 and FR-A-2 171 805 describe sliding door arrangements according to the preamble of the claim main.

In these arrangements, at least when the door is in the open or closed position, a side of the fictitious holding triangle is oriented vertically. That is to say that two of the three points of the door is arranged one above the other.

The applicant has found that this type of arrangement makes it difficult to maintain the door, especially when it is in the open position because of the large cantilever generated.

To solve this problem, the devices of JP09272343 A, FR-A-2 285 257 and FR-A-2 171 805 have a maximum spacing of the holding points in line with one of the other (a holding point near the top edge of the door and the other near the edge inferior). This type of arrangement therefore involves providing a rail in the upper part of the door which is incompatible with the curvature of the upper part of some doors of vehicle and in particular front doors of cars.

To solve this same problem, the device of US-A-4,617,756 uses a Reinforced door retention system. Specifically, the two points of support to the plumb each other are located at the ends of two arms each connected to arms respective rigid guides. The rigid guide arms are themselves articulated on a vertical bar forming a common pivot frame. Thus, this arrangement makes it possible to overcome a point of maintenance in the upper part (and therefore of an upper rail), however it requires means of keep complex and reinforced to keep the door open. The arrangement according to the document FR-A-1 577 398 even goes so far as to use a fourth holding point (with therefore a fourth rail and a fourth arm).

An object of the present invention is to propose a arrangement of a sliding door of a motor vehicle overcoming all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

For this purpose, the invention, moreover consistent with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that a first arm is secured to the lower front part of the door and slides in a first lower rail integral with the vehicle structure, a second arm is articulated on the structure and slide in a second lower rail integral with the door, the third arm being articulated on the rear part of the door and sliding in the third intermediate rail which is secured to the structure and located substantially at mid-height of the door, and in that the means for maintaining and guiding are shaped so that the distance separating the sliding ends of the first and second arm remains continuously greater than a minimum distance of about 150 to 300mm in the longitudinal direction of the door.

• les moyens de maintien et de guidage sont conformés de façon que la distance séparant deux sommets adjacents du triangle reste continuellement supérieure à une distance minimale de l'ordre de 150 à 300mm,
• les moyens de maintien et de guidage sont conformés de façon que, lorsque la porte est en position ouverte, la distance séparant les extrémités coulissantes des premier et second bras est égale à la distance minimale,
• l'extrémité du second bras qui coulisse dans le second rail inférieur comporte un système à trois galets rotatifs agencés relativement de façon que leur axes de rotation respectifs forment, en projection dans un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan de la porte, les sommets d'un triangle fixe, et de façon que deux premiers galets roulent respectivement de part et d'autre d'un même flanc du second rail, le troisième galet étant décalé par rapport au deux premiers galets et roulant sensiblement du même côté que l'un des deux premiers galets,
• l'extrémité arrière du second rail comporte des moyens formant butée pour les deux premiers galets de façon que, lorsque l'extrémité du second bras arrive en fin de course à l'extrémité arrière du second rail, le troisième galet quitte de rail pour permettre au second bras de déboíter ou d'emboíter la porte par rapport la structure,
• la porte est une porte latérale avant.

In addition, the invention may include one or more of the following features:

• the holding and guiding means are shaped so that the distance separating two adjacent vertices of the triangle remains continuously greater than a minimum distance of the order of 150 to 300 mm,
• the holding and guiding means are shaped so that, when the door is in the open position, the distance separating the sliding ends of the first and second arms is equal to the minimum distance,
• the end of the second arm which slides in the second lower rail comprises a system with three rotary rollers arranged relatively so that their respective axes of rotation form, in projection in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door, the vertices of a fixed triangle, and so that two first rollers respectively roll on both sides of the same side of the second rail, the third roller being offset relative to the first two rollers and rolling substantially on the same side as one of the two first pebbles,
• the rear end of the second rail comprises stop means for the first two rollers so that, when the end of the second arm reaches the end of the race at the rear end of the second rail, the third roller leaves the rail to allow at the second arm to dislocate or nest the door relative to the structure,
• the door is a front side door.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique de dessus d'un agencement d'une porte coulissante de véhicule automobile selon un exemple conforme à l'invention, en position fermée (traits pleins) et en position ouverte (traits discontinus),
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective de l'intérieur d'un véhicule illustrant un agencement d'une porte coulissante selon un exemple conforme à l'invention en position fermée,
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective de l'intérieur du véhicule de la figure 2, la porte étant en position ouverte,
• la figure 4 représente une vue de dessus de l'extrémité d'un second bras de maintien de la porte coopérant avec un rail de guidage et illustrant différentes phases d'ouverture/fermeture de la porte des figures 1 à 3,
• la figure 5 représente un détail de la figure 4 illustrant l'extrémité du second bras de maintien de la porte, vu selon la direction F de la figure 4.

Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the description below, with reference to the figures in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic view from above of an arrangement of a motor vehicle sliding door according to an example according to the invention, in the closed position (solid lines) and in the open position (discontinuous lines),
• FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle illustrating an arrangement of a sliding door according to an example according to the invention in the closed position,
• FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the inside of the vehicle of FIG. 2, the door being in the open position,
• FIG. 4 represents a view from above of the end of a second support arm of the door cooperating with a guide rail and illustrating various opening / closing phases of the door of FIGS. 1 to 3,
• FIG. 5 represents a detail of FIG. 4 illustrating the end of the second door holding arm, seen in direction F of FIG. 4.

The sliding door 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is maintained and guided by means of three arms 3, 5, 7 cooperating in sliding with, respectively, three rails 4, 6, 8 of guide.

The same elements are designated by the same numerical references to Figures 1 to 5, however, in order to better illustrate the two extreme positions of Gate 1, the numerical references of moving parts of the arrangement have been completed in Figure 1 by the letter F when the door 1 is in the closed position and by the letter O when the door 1 is in the open position.

A first arm 3 has an integral end of the part front low of the door 1 and another end B that slides in a first lower rail 4 secured to the structure 2 of the vehicle. The sliding end B of the first arm 3 includes, for example, a rotating roller system around a axis substantially parallel to the plane of the door 1.

Classically, the first rail 4 is bent inwards from the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle, to participate in the phases of disassembly and interlocking of the door 1 by relation to structure 2.

A second arm 5 has an articulated end on the structure 2 and the other end C guided by sliding in a second lower rail 6 secured to the door 1. The second rail 6 is located substantially near the lower edge of the door 1. The C end of the guided arm in the second rail 6 also has a rolling roller system described more in detail below.

Finally, the third arm 7 has an articulated end on the rear part of the door 1 and the other end guided in sliding in a third rail 8 intermediate solidarity of the structure 2. The third rail 8 is located approximately halfway up the door 1, at the back of the opening 13 provided for the door in the structure 2.

The arms 3, 5, 7 for holding the door as well as the guiding rails 4, 6, 8 of this latter are sized and arranged relatively so that the ends B, C, A of the arms 3, 5, 7 sliding in the rails 4, 6, 8 form the vertices of a fictional ABC triangle as well when the door 1 is in the closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2) that when in the open position (1 and 3).

The triangle ABC defined by the holding points of the door 1 is preferably located in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the door.

We see that such an arrangement allows a perfect keeping the door in all its positions, as well as perfect guidance of the latter.

In particular, such an arrangement allows an easy maneuver of the door by a user while having simplified holding and guiding means compared to the prior art.

The arms 3, 5, 7 for holding the door as well as the guiding rails 4, 6, 8 of this latter are sized and arranged relatively so that the distance L separating the sliding ends B, C of first 3 and second 5 arm stays continuously higher than a minimum distance of about 150 to 300mm. In particular, the distance L separating sliding B, C ends of the first 3 and second 5 arms is between 150 to 300mm when door 1 is in open position (Figures 1 and 3)

This arrangement of the holding and guiding means gives a perfect functioning and maintenance of the door to during its use.

Referring now to Figure 4, the end slide C of the second arm 5 has a three-way system rollers 10, 11, 12 rotating. The three rollers 10, 11, 12 are arranged relatively so that their axes of rotation respective ones 110, 111, 112 form, in projection in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door 1, the vertices of a fixed triangle.

Moreover, two first rollers 10, 11 roll respectively against the two opposite sides of the same vertical flank of the second rail 6. The third roller 12 is, as to him, offset from the first two rollers 10, 11 to the back of the rail 6.

The third roller 12 is arranged so as to roll substantially on the same rail side 6 as one of the two first rollers 10, 11 when the door slides.

As shown in FIG. 5, the third roller 12 is preferably in a different plane from the other two 10, 11. For example, the third roller 12 is located in below the horizontal plane containing the two other pebbles 10, 11.

In addition, the rear end of the second rail 6 has a portion 9 folded towards the door 1 which forms a stop for the first two rollers 10, 11. That is to say that when the end C of the second arm 5 reaches the end of the race to the rear end of the second rail 6, the third roller 12 leaves of rail 6 and allows the second arm 5 to deboíter or emboíter the door 1 with respect to the structure 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates three different positions α, β and γ of the rear end of the rail 6 or course of the maneuver of the door 1. To better illustrate the different positions of the second rail 6, the numerical reference of the latter has been complemented by the letter α, β or γ corresponding to its position.

In a first position α (open door), the rail 6α is disposed between on the one hand an inner roller 11 and the two other rollers 10, 12 called outer. When the user begins to close the door 1, this one slides towards the front of vehicle. The second rail 6 then slides also towards the front between the inner and outer rollers 11, 12 (T direction, Figure 4).

When the rear end 9β of the second rail 6β arrives in limit switch at the end of the second arm 5, the third roller 12 (outer roller) leaves the rail 6 (second position β), for allow the second arm 5 to pivot inwardly of the vehicle (arrow P) to fit the door into the structure (third closed γ position).

Of course, the opening operation of the door describes the reverse process to that described above with reference to the figure 4.

Thus, starting from a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2), the opening of the door 1 starts a movement of dislocation with respect to the structure. For this, the second arm 5 pivots outward in the opposite direction to the arrow P of FIG. 4 and starts a translation towards the rear of vehicle.

To completely open the door the user makes then slide the latter backwards (direction opposite to arrow T). During this phase, the first 3 and third arm 7 slide backwards in their rails 4, 8 respective while the second arm slides forward in the second rail 6.

The maximum open position of the door 1 is defined, for example, by one or more stops formed at the level guide rails 4, 6, 8. For example, a limit stop the opening is formed at the rear end of the first lower rail 4 secured to the structure 2 and / or the front end of the second rail 6.

Claims (6)

1. Structure and sliding door for a motor vehicle, comprising means for holding and guiding the door (1) between an open position and a closed position with respect to the structure (2) of the vehicle, the holding and guiding means being constituted by three arms (3, 5, 7) co-operating respectively with three guide rails (4, 6, 8), the holding and guiding means being dimensioned and arranged relatively so that the ends (B, C, A) of the arms (3, 5, 7) sliding in the rails (4, 6, 8) form the vertices of a fictitious triangle (ABC) for holding the door both when the door (1) is in the closed position and when it is in the open position, so that the door is held only at three distinct points, a first arm (3) being integral with the lower front portion of the door (1) and sliding in a first lower rail (4) integral with the structure (2) of the vehicle, a second arm (5) being articulated to the structure (2) and sliding in a second lower rail (6) integral with the door (1), characterised in that the third arm (7) is articulated to the rear portion of the door (1) and slides in the third, intermediate rail (8), which is integral with the structure (2) and located substantially half-way up the door (1), and in that the holding and guiding means are shaped so that the distance (L) separating the sliding ends (B, C) of the first (3) and second arms (5) remains constantly greater than a minimum distance of the order of 150 to 300 mm, depending on the longitudinal direction of the door.
2. Structure and sliding door according to Claim 1, characterised in that the holding and guiding means are shaped so that the distance (L) separating two adjacent vertices (B, C) of the triangle (ABC) remains constantly greater than a minimum distance of the order of 150 to 300 mm.
3. Structure and sliding door according to Claim 1 characterised in that the holding and guiding means are shaped so that, when the door (1) is in the open position, the distance (L) separating the sliding ends (B, C) of the first (3) and second (5) arms is equal to the minimum distance.
4. Structure and sliding door according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the end (C) of the second arm (5) that slides in the second lower rail (6) comprises a system with three rotary rollers (10, 11, 12) arranged relatively so that their respective axes of rotation (110, 111, 112) form, in projection in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door (1), the vertices of a fixed triangle, and so that the first two rollers (10, 11) run respectively on either side of the same side of the second rail (6), the third roller (12) being offset relative to the first two rollers (10, 11) and running on substantially the same side as one (10) of the first two rollers (10, 11).
5. Structure and sliding door according to Claim 3, characterised in that the rear end of the second rail (6) comprises means (9) forming a stop for the first two rollers (10, 11) so that, when the end (C) of the second arm (5) reaches the end of travel at the rear end of the second rail (6), the third roller (12) leaves the rail (6) in order to allow the second arm (5) to remove the door (1) from or fit it into the structure (2).
6. Structure and sliding door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the door (1) is a front side door.

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