EP1849936B1 - Locking device with mobile carriage for sliding panel, corresponding blocking device and automobile. - Google Patents

Description

The field of the invention is that of automotive bays. More specifically, the invention relates to closure devices of an array formed in the bodywork of a vehicle, or in a door of the vehicle, and comprising a movable sliding part, capable of releasing or closing an opening in these devices.

Conventionally, to seal the bay of a vehicle, be it an automobile, a commercial vehicle, a truck, a bus or a railway car, there is a report window, maintained by a connecting frame. The latter has an inner part and an outer part, which simultaneously pinch the edges of the ice and the opening in the body, with a seal.

The most commonly used technique for opening and closing the door windows is to make it movable vertically in its own plane, by making it enter or leave the box or the door trim. Sliding panels are also known horizontally along rails formed in a frame.

Another technique has been proposed by the holder of the present patent application. This technique is described in particular in patent documents EP - 0 778 168 and EP - 0 857 844 . The shutter device (hereinafter referred to as "flush bay") presented in these documents comprises a fixed assembly and a moving part relative to this fixed assembly. The movable part is connected to the fixed assembly by functional elements which provide the required mobility and which are reported on the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle.

Such a "flush" bay can be mounted completely independently of the vehicle, and reported from the outside, in the housing defined for this purpose on the vehicle body. It can also be secured, in particular by bonding to the lower part of a door, according to the technique described in the patent document. EP - 1 022 172 .

From an aesthetic point of view, the "flush" bay presents, from the outside, a smooth appearance, flush with the bodywork, because no frame is necessary.

To ensure a sliding of the movable part, generally constituted by a transparent panel, there is provided for example a guiding device comprising a first and a second guide rails fixedly mounted on the fixed assembly of the bay (or fixed structure), both sides of the opening closed by the movable panel. It is mounted on the rails, to slide for example in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) open position and an intermediate release position in which it is facing the bay and cleared of it.

The invention relates more particularly to this type of shutter device called "flush bay", its variants and improvements. However, the invention may more broadly apply to all shutter devices whose kinematic opening and / or closing includes a displacement (in y) between an open position and an intermediate position of release , in a plane parallel to the plane of the fixed set, and a displacement (in x) in this parallel plane.

Several solutions have been proposed for locking the movable panel in the closed position, and optionally in selected opening positions. They are often not very ergonomic and / or practical, and require in particular to make an effort, for example clamping, to obtain the lock.

Among these, one knows a technique presented in the document EP-1,659,247 , according to which at least one bolt cooperating with a striker formed in one of the support and / or guide elements is provided, the striker having at least one ramp, so that the passage from a locked position to an unlocked position means locking causes the passage of the movable panel from a first plane to a second plane, and vice versa. Two bolts can be provided, to effectively lock the movable panel in high and low parts.

This approach is functionally efficient. However, it remains uncomfortable, since the displacement of the bolt is perpendicular to the axis of sliding, which presupposes easy handling. This is even more true in the case where two bolts are provided.

The document US-6,431,615 describes a locking and unlocking mechanism, in particular for drawers. The mechanism uses two bolts mounted symmetrically on either side of a handle. Careful unlocking, by a displacement perpendicular to the axis of locking, which causes the pivoting of control parts, which act on connecting rods to unlock the bolts.

The document U.S. 3,910,611 relates to a truck trailer hitch locking system, comprising two or three bolts appropriately distributed. These various bolts are connected by cables to a set of controls, which includes a moving part in translation

Maneuvering the handles of the devices described in these two documents is unidirectional.

The invention particularly aims to overcome these disadvantages of the art.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a locking device of a sliding panel of a bay, simplifying the opening and closing operations of this panel, and the locking thereof in the closed position, and if necessary in the open position.

The invention also aims to provide such a closure device of a bay that allows locking, unlocking and sliding reliably and effortlessly.

Thus, a particular object of the invention is to provide such a device, which allows to easily control the sliding of the movable panel, whatever the direction of movement (opening or closing).

The invention also aims to provide such a closure device of a bay that remains simple to achieve, to mount on a door or on a vehicle.

• aspect esthétique affleurant ;
• aspects aérodynamiques ;
• facilité et coût réduit de fabrication ;
• facilité et coût réduit de montage.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a closure device of a bay which retains all the advantages of "flush bays" already developed by the holder of the present application, and in particular:

• flush aesthetic appearance;
• aerodynamic aspects;
• ease and reduced cost of manufacture;
• ease and reduced cost of assembly.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved by means of a locking device of a sliding panel of a motor vehicle according to claim 1.

Thus, there is a simple and effective mechanism for unlocking, which can operate in two directions corresponding to the two possible directions for sliding.

Advantageously, said connecting means comprise at least one cable.

In this case, it is preferably provided that each of said unlocking carriages comprises at least one cable passage, in which the one or more cables can slide. This effectively guides the cable (s).

According to an advantageous embodiment, each of said unlocking carriages is actuated by a finger integral with a control button.

In this case, said control button may in particular print a rotational movement to said finger, along an axis of rotation substantially parallel to said locking axis.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the device comprises two bolts, distributed on either side of said unlocking carriages.

In this case, said connecting means advantageously comprise two parallel cables, each connected to the two bolts or respectively by one of their end to one of the bolts and the other end to a fixed element.

Advantageously, the device, and in particular the or carriages, comprise means for moving said cables away from one another so as to avoid any friction between them.

This avoids friction, and therefore wear and malfunctions.

Preferably, each of said bolts cooperates with biasing means, tending to return it to said locked state. The handle is thus also brought to a rest position corresponding to the locked state.

The invention also relates to a device for closing a bay of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one movable sliding panel, movable relative to a fixed structure implementing a locking device as described above.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such device for closing a bay.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif d'obturation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 présente schématiquement les moyens de verrouillage du panneau de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3A et 3B présentent plus précisément les moyens de verrouillage / déverrouillage de la figure 2, respectivement :
  • figure 3A : position verrouillée ;
  • figure 3B : position déverrouillée ;
• les figures 4A et 4B sont des vues agrandies d'un chariot des figures 3A et 3B respectivement ;
• les figures 5A et 5B illustrent schématiquement le principe de fonctionnement du dispositif de l'invention, respectivement :
  • figure 5A : état verrouillé ;
  • figure 5B : état déverrouillé ;
• les figures 6A et 6B présentent un exemple de bouton d'actionnement du dispositif de l'invention, respectivement :
  • figure 6A : état verrouillé ;
  • figure 6B : état déverrouillé.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a closure device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 schematically shows the locking means of the panel of the figure 1 ;
• the Figures 3A and 3B more specifically, the means for locking / unlocking the figure 2 , respectively :
  • figure 3A : locked position;
  • figure 3B : unlocked position;
• the Figures 4A and 4B are enlarged views of a cart of Figures 3A and 3B respectively ;
• the Figures 5A and 5B schematically illustrate the operating principle of the device of the invention, respectively:
  • Figure 5A : locked state;
  • Figure 5B : unlocked state;
• the Figures 6A and 6B show an example of an actuation button of the device of the invention, respectively:
  • Figure 6A : locked state;
  • Figure 6B : unlocked state.

As already indicated, the general principle of the invention is based in particular on the implementation of a rotary handle, operable indifferently in two directions to unlock and then move in one direction or the other the movable panel.

The figure 1 illustrates a shutter device for a bay formed in the body of a vehicle, implementing a locking device according to the invention. It comprises a fixed assembly 11 on which is mounted a movable panel 12, slidable along rails 13 and 14 mounted in upper parts and in the lower part of the fixed assembly 11. These rails are attached to the side facing the inside the vehicle of the fixed set.

The movable panel 12, in this case a window, carries two bolts cooperating respectively with the upper rails 13 and lower 14. A handle 15 can simultaneously control the two bolts, as detailed below. Of course, it is also possible to implement the invention with a single bolt, in the upper part or in the lower part.

The device is mounted so that the locking / unlocking movement of each bolt is inscribed in a plane parallel to that of the movable panel, and in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sliding. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel is movable horizontally and the locking / unlocking movement is vertical.

As illustrated by figure 2 , which shows a portion of the frame of the movable panel, carrying the locking device, the two bolts 21 and 22 are connected by at least one cable 23, 24 to the unlocking means 25, which comprise two carriages 251, 252 mounted movable in translation. on the guide rails provided for this purpose 253, 254. The translation axis defined by these rails 253 and 254 is perpendicular to the axis passing through the two bolts 21, 22. Thus, the movement of two carriages 251, 252 cause the cable or cables 23, 24 according to a baffle effect, when they are moved, which tends to pull the cables and consequently to unlock the bolts 21 and 22. This allows to amplify the movement of the cable or cables .

Guiding means 255, 256 of the cables, fixed with respect to the frame, ensure the rectilinear hold of the latter outside the unlocking means 25. They also ensure, when several cables are present, that they do not touch each other. . It is indeed important to avoid contacts between cables, to limit wear and malfunctions due to possible friction.

The Figures 3A and 3B illustrate more precisely the unlocking means 25. The Figures 4A and 4B are enlarged views of the parts surrounded by Figures 3A and 3B respectively.

In the locked position, which is the default position, that is to say when no action is applied by the user and therefore by the unlocking means 25, the carriages 251 and 252 are in the illustrated position by the Figures 3A and 4A .

In the illustrated embodiment, two cables 31 and 32, each secured to the two bolts 21 and 22, have been provided. According to other embodiments, the cables could be secured to intermediate elements connected by connecting means to the bolts. One can also provide a single cable. It can also be provided that one end of each cable is connected to the fixed structure of the frame of the movable panel.

As it appears on the Figure 4A , each carriage comprises cable passages 41, 42, for receiving the cables 31, 32, allowing easy assembly, and away enough to avoid contact between them.

The carriage further comprises a housing 43, intended to receive a finger 44 integral with an unlocking operation button, or handle, 15.

Resting ( figure 3A ) the cables 31 and 32 are aligned. When acting on the actuating button, or handle 33, the fingers 44 and 45 drive the carriages 251 and 252 in directions perpendicular to the axis defined by the two bolts (via the rails 253 and 252). 254).

These movements lengthen the stroke of the cables, and bring the bolts 21 and 22 closer together, which ensures the unlocking. As soon as the handle 33 is released, the return springs 34 and 35 respectively associated with the bolts 21 and 22 cause the return to the locked position illustrated by the figure 3A .

The Figures 5A and 5B schematically summarize the operation of the invention, in the simplified case of a single bolt 21. It is of course easy to generalize to two bolts, as illustrated by the previous figures.

At rest, that is to say in the locked position, illustrated by the Figure 5A the cable 51 is rectilinear, and its trajectory is not modified by the carriages 251 and 252. This cable is connected by one of these ends to the bolts 21, and by the other of these ends to the frame of the movable panel 52, via a return spring 53 of the cable slack.

Pairs 54, 55, formed in the panel frame, are also provided to guide the cable 51, and to allow the baffle effect of the cable, and consequently the movement of the bolt, as illustrated by FIG. Figure 5B .

In this Figure 5B , the carriages 251 and 252 have been moved in opposite directions, driving the cable 51 in a baffle effect which ensures the unlocking of the bolt 21 (arrow 56). A return spring 57 of the bolt acts on the latter, so as to bring it back to the locked position ( Figure 5A ). Thus, when there is no action on the actuating button, the bolt 21 returns to the locked position, thereby tending the cable 51, which brings the carriages 251 and 252, and consequently the button in the locked position.

Many actuating buttons can be provided to act on the carriages 251 and 252. an example is illustrated on the figure 2 . It is also presented, from the outside, on Figures 6A and 6B , respectively in the locked position and in the unlocked position. This actuation button comprises two vanes 61, 62 mounted rotatably about an axis parallel to the cable 51 in the locked position. The fingers 44 and 45 also move in rotation along this axis.

Resting ( Figure 6A ) Both pallets 61 and 62 are in the same plane, which is preferably the plane defined by the frame 63 of the panel. To unlock the panel, the user brings the two palettes closer to each other as shown in FIG. Figure 6B . He can then, in the same movement, make slide the movable panel both to the right and to the left (or up and down, or any other direction, depending on the embodiments). This technique therefore allows unlocking and sliding in the same manipulation.

Other mechanisms for actuating the carriages can of course be envisaged, such as translations of the actuating button, or a rotation thereof along an axis perpendicular to the axis defined by the cable.

Moreover, it should be noted that the invention can be implemented with more than two trolleys, depending on the necessary stroke in particular.

Claims (11)

1. Device for locking a sliding panel (12) of a motor vehicle, which panel (12) can be moved relative to a fixed structure (11), the device comprising at least one sliding bolt (21, 22), which co-operates with at least one complementary locking element which is provided for this purpose on the fixed structure, and which is able to move along a locking axis in order to move from an unlocked state which allows sliding of the sliding panel to a locked state in which it co-operates with one of the complementary locking elements in order to prevent the sliding and vice-versa,
   each of the sliding bolts (21, 22) being firmly attached to connection means which extend substantially in continuation of the locking axis, when the sliding bolt (21, 22) is in the locked state, characterised in that it comprises two unlocking carriages (251, 252) which can be moved in translation along a displacement axis which is substantially perpendicular relative to the locking axis and substantially parallel with the plane defined by the sliding panel (12), and which move in opposite directions and act on the connection means in order to displace them and bring about the movement of the sliding bolt(s) (21, 22) into the unlocked state.
2. Locking device according to claim 1, characterised in that the connection means comprise at least one cable (23, 24, 31, 32, 51).
3. Locking device according to claim 2, characterised in that each of the unlocking carriages (251, 252) comprises at least one cable passage (41, 42) in which the cable(s) (23, 24, 31, 32, 51) can slide.
4. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each of the unlocking carriages (251, 252) is actuated by a member (44, 45) which is firmly attached to a control button (15, 33).
5. Locking device according to claim 4, characterised in that the control button (15, 33) communicates a rotation movement to the member (44, 45) about a rotation axis which is substantially parallel with the locking axis.
6. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises two sliding bolts (21, 22) which are distributed at one side and the other of the unlocking carriage(s) (251, 252).
7. Locking device according to claims 2 and 6, characterised in that the connection means comprise two parallel cables (23, 24, 31, 32, 51) which are each connected to the two sliding bolts (21, 22) or, with one of the ends thereof, to one of the sliding bolts (21, 22) and, with the other end thereof, to a fixed element, respectively.
8. Locking device according to claim 7, characterised in that it comprises means for moving the cables (23, 24, 31, 32, 51) apart from each other in order to prevent any friction between them.
9. Locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that each of the sliding bolts (21, 22) co-operates with return means (34, 35, 57) which tend to return it into the locked state.
10. Device for closing an opening of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one panel (12) which can be moved in a sliding manner and which can be moved relative to a fixed structure (11), characterised in that it comprises a locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
11. Motor vehicle, characterised in that it comprises at least one device for closing an opening of a motor vehicle comprising at least one panel (12) which can be moved in a sliding manner and which can be moved relative to a fixed structure (11), the movable panel carrying a locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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