EP1895081A1 - Control device for opening a lock of an automobile door. - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a traversing arm (4) including a control finger (5) that extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of a gripping handle (1) and drives a reversing lever that is mounted on a base (3) around an axis parallel to an articulation axis (X1, X2) of the handle. The lever is connected to a lock, and the handle has an end part closed by a closure (8). The closure is integrated to a cap (14) made of anti-friction material, to retain the closure in the part and cover the arm and the finger. The closure and the cap are made of low friction co-efficient plastic material e.g. polyacetate.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for controlling the opening of a lock of a vehicle opening, such as a motor vehicle.

Figures 1 to 6 show a known device for opening control of a lock of an opening of a motor vehicle that can be applied to an opening of the sliding side door type.

This known device comprises a gripping handle 1 in the form of a lever intended to be mounted on an outer panel, not shown, of the body of the opening in front or behind thereof depending on the type of leaf.

The handle 1 allows to control a lock via drive means also not shown.

The handle 1 is articulated at its front end 2 on a base or handle support 3, integral with the inner face of the panel of the opening, about an axis X1, X2 substantially parallel to the general plane of the panel, between a rest position and an extreme unlocking actuation position of the lock and shown in phantom in FIG.

The handle 1 comprises, in the vicinity of its end opposite its hinge axis X1, X2, an arm 4 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal general direction of the handle 1 towards the inside of the vehicle, crossing the panel perpendicularly to that -this.

The arm 4 comprises at its end opposite the handle 1 a control finger 5 extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal general direction of the handle 1. The finger 5 is adapted to cooperate with a set 6 return lever 7 pivotally mounted on the base 3 around an axis X3, X4 substantially parallel to the pivot axis X1, X2 of the handle 1. This assembly is connected to the lock of the opening by the drive means generally consist of linkage elements.

The rear end of the hollow handle 1 is closed by a plug 8 of a plastic material having a tab 9 engaging, in the closed position of the end of the handle, in a conjugate notch 10 made in the arm 4 parallel to this one. A pin 11 is inserted transversely into the arm 4 through a hole in the tab 9 so as to fix the plug 8 in the end of the handle 1.

A hub cap 12 is attached to the base 3 so as to retract the lock lock of the opening. The hubcap 12 is located in extension of the end of the handle 1 opposite its articulation to the base 3.

• des frottements se produisent lors des manoeuvres entre la poignée 1, généralement réalisée en une matière plastique à base de polyamide PA66 chargée de fibres de verre à 30% constituant une matière relativement abrasive, et le socle 3 généralement en zamak brut de fonderie, ce qui provoque des bruits de fonctionnement et une dégradation de l'onctuosité de manoeuvre de la poignée, voire même des efforts de manoeuvre parfois importants ;
• ces efforts de manoeuvre sont amplifiés par une corrosion du socle 3 en zamak de sorte que la poignée peut se coincer en la tirant vers le haut. La solution actuelle pour résoudre ce problème de coincement de la poignée consiste à assurer une protection anti-corrosion du socle par életrozingage, mais cette solution est relativement coûteuse ;
• des retassures 13, dues aux procédés d'injection de la poignée 1, peuvent se produire notamment dans la zone fonctionnelle arrière de la poignée 1 constituée par la face arrière du bras 4 de cette poignée opposée à son axa d'articulation, ce qui risque de bloquer la poignée en position de déverrouillage de la serrure notamment pour des ouvrants lourds et longs pour lesquels l'utilisateur a tendance à tirer la poignée vers l'arrière et si la retassure 13 du bras 4 est suffisamment marquée, il y a un risque de coincement total de la poignée 1 ;
• dans le but d'éviter les efforts de manoeuvre de la poignée 1 à neuf, les jeux fonctionnels entre cette poignée et le socle 3 ont été augmentés au détriment de la qualité perçue concernant le jeu suivant la direction Z, lorsqu'on sollicite la poignée de haut en bas ; et
• la goupille 11 de maintien du bouchon de poignée 8 se corrode et, par conséquent, nécessite l'utilisation d'une matière notamment en inox, plus onéreuse.

This known type of handle poses the following problems:

• friction occurs during maneuvers between the handle 1, generally made of a plastic material based on polyamide PA66 filled with 30% glass fiber constituting a relatively abrasive material, and the base 3 generally made of raw zamak foundry, which causes operating noises and a degradation of the lubricity of maneuvering the handle, or even sometimes significant maneuvering efforts;
• these maneuvering forces are amplified by a corrosion of the base 3 zamak so that the handle can get caught by pulling it upwards. The current solution to solve this problem of jamming of the handle is to provide anti-corrosion protection of the base by életrozing, but this solution is relatively expensive;
• 13, due to the injection processes of the handle 1, may occur in particular in the rear functional area of the handle 1 constituted by the rear face of the arm 4 of the handle opposite its axa articulation, which risk to lock the handle in the unlocked position of the lock especially for heavy and long opening for which the user tends to pull the handle backwards and if the sink 13 of the arm 4 is sufficiently marked, there is a risk total jamming of the handle 1;
• in order to avoid the maneuvering efforts of the handle 1 to nine, the functional games between this handle and the base 3 have been increased to the detriment of the perceived quality of the game in the direction Z, when the handle is requested from top to bottom ; and
• the pin 11 holding the grip cap 8 corrodes and, therefore, requires the use of a material including stainless steel, more expensive.

The present invention aims to eliminate the above disadvantages of known handles.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for controlling the opening of a lock of a vehicle door, such as a motor vehicle, comprising a handle arranged on the outer face of a body panel. opening and articulated at one of its ends on a base integral with the inner face of the panel of the opening around an axis substantially parallel to the general plane of the panel, between a rest position and an extreme position d actuation, the handle having in the vicinity of its opposite end an arm traversing perpendicularly the panel and provided at its end with a control finger substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the handle and can cause a return lever pivotally mounted on the base around an axis parallel to the axis of articulation of the handle, the return lever being connected to the lock by drive means and the end portion of the handle opposite to its hinge can be closed by a closure cap, and which is characterized in that the closure cap is integral with a cap of anti-friction material for retaining the cap in the end portion of the handle and partially cover the arm and the finger of the handle.

Advantageously, the cap comprises a core wall located on the side of the outer face of the closure cap and for covering the outer face of the arm of the handle and two side walls for covering the side faces of the arm.

The cap also comprises at its end opposite the cap an elastically deformable tongue substantially perpendicular to the core wall of the cap and for covering the inner face of the finger of the handle intended to cooperate with one end of the pivoting return lever.

The tongue has its hooked free end in which can engage the corresponding end of the finger of the handle.

The two side walls of the cap comprise two ribs that can fit resiliently into two lateral notches of the arm of the handle to retain the cap arm.

The core wall and the two side walls of the cap have in cross section a U-shaped adapted to receive a conjugate form of the arm of the handle.

The arm of the handle comprises an opening allowing passage of the tongue of the cap above the finger of the handle and the cap comprises an opening located between the core wall of the cap and the tongue substantially at the same level as the latter to allow the introduction of the arm into the cap by pivoting the latter and embedding the plug in the end of the handle and the hooking of the tongue on the finger.

Preferably, the cap and the cap are made in one piece.

The cap and the cap are made of a plastic material with a low coefficient of friction, especially based on polyacetate.

The base is zamak and the handle is a thermoplastic material including polyamide.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de l'art antérieur permettant de commander l'ouverture d'une serrure d'un ouvrant de véhicule automobile ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle de dessus du dispositif de commande de l'art antérieur ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'une extrémité de la poignée du dispositif de l'art antérieur et obturée par un bouchon ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective éclatée de la poignée et de son bouchon de fermeture ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en section suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus du dispositif de l'invention permettant de commander l'ouverture d'une serrure d'un ouvrant du véhicule automobile ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'un ensemble à bouchon de fermeture de la poignée du dispositif de la figure 7 et à coiffe de recouvrement partiel d'un bras de cette poignée ;
• la figure 9 est une vue de côté suivant la flèche IX de la figure 8 ;
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle en perspective de l'ensemble à bouchon et coiffe logé à l'extrémité de la poignée ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en section suivant la ligne XI-XI de la figure 7 ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif de commande de l'invention avant montage de l'ensemble à bouchon et coiffe de la poignée de ce dispositif ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective éclatée semblable à celle de la figure 12 après montage de l'ensemble à bouchon et coiffe à la poignée de ce dispositif ;
• la figure 14 est une vue de dessus montrant l'assemblage de l'ensemble à bouchon et coiffe à la poignée du dispositif de commande ; et
• la figure 15 est une vue de dessus semblable à celle de la figure 14 et représentant l'ensemble à bouchon et coiffe assemblé à la poignée.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the explanatory description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings given solely by way of example, illustrating a mode of embodiment of the invention and in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device of the prior art for controlling the opening of a lock of an opening of a motor vehicle;
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a partial view from above of the control device of the prior art;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of one end of the handle of the device of the prior art and closed by a plug;
• Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the handle and its closure cap;
• Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a top view of the device of the invention for controlling the opening of a lock of an opening of the motor vehicle;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of a closure cap assembly of the handle of the Figure 7 device and cap partial recovery of an arm of this handle;
• Figure 9 is a side view along arrow IX of Figure 8;
• Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of the cap and cap assembly housed at the end of the handle;
• Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line XI-XI of Figure 7;
• Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the control device of the invention before mounting the cap and cap assembly of the handle of this device;
• Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view similar to that of Figure 12 after mounting the cap and cap assembly to the handle of this device;
• Fig. 14 is a top view showing the assembly of the cap and cap assembly to the handle of the controller; and
• Figure 15 is a top view similar to that of Figure 14 and showing the cap and cap assembly assembled to the handle.

The various components of the control device of the invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 15 and identical to the components of the device of the prior art of Figures 1 to 6 and / or performing the same functions as they bear the same references and will not be re-detailed.

According to the control device of the invention, the closure cap 8 of the rear end of the prevention handle 1 is integral with the end of a cap 14 made of an anti-friction material made of a plastic material with a low coefficient of friction such as for example a polyacetate-based plastic material and, preferably, the cap and cap assembly 14 is made of a single piece of so that the plug 8 is of the same material with anti-friction property as the cap 14.

The cap 14 is shaped so as to allow it to be fixed by snapping to the arm 4 of the handle 1 by covering the rear face 4a of the arm 4 and the two side walls 4b of this arm and to retain the cap 8 in the position of closing the rear end of the handle 1 once the cap 14 secured to the arm 4.

For this purpose, the cap 14 comprises two lateral walls 15 joined to one another by a core wall 16 so as to have together in cross section an approximately U-shaped shape intended to receive a conjugate part of the arm 4 whose outer rear face 4a is located approximately in the same plane as the open rear end of the handle 1.

The cap 14 also comprises at its end opposite the cap 8 an elastically deformable arched tongue 17 extending substantially in a plane perpendicular to the core wall 15 of the cap 14 and for covering the arcuate inner face of the finger 5 of the handle 1 adapted to cooperate with the free end of the pivoting return lever 7. The tongue 17 at its free end 17a curved hook-shaped in which can be fitted elastically the corresponding end of the finger 5 of the handle 1.

The tongue 17 is connected to the edges of the two side walls 15 of the cap 14 by means of two lugs 18 defining between the edge of the tongue 17 opposite its curved end 17a and the core wall 16 an opening 01 allowing the introduction of the arm 4 of the handle 1 into the cap 14 as will be seen later.

The two lateral walls 15 of the cap 14 comprise two internal ribs 19 projecting towards each other perpendicularly from these walls. laterally and can fit resiliently into two lateral notches 20 of the arm 4 of the handle 1 so as to maintain the cap 14 to the arm 4.

The arm 4 of the handle 1 has a through opening 21 opening above the finger 5 and in which can be inserted the tongue 17 of the cap 14.

The assembly of the unitary assembly with cap 8 and cap 14 to the lever 1 is performed as follows.

As shown in FIG. 14, the tongue 17 of the cap 14 is introduced through the opening 21 of the arm 4 so that the tongue 17 is arranged inclined relative to the latter above the finger 5 and then all with cap 8 and cap 14 is tilted counterclockwise to engage the plug 8 in the end of the hollow handle 1 and bring the core wall 16 bearing on the rear face 4a of the arm 4 of the handle 1 and the two lateral walls 15 respectively bearing on the two lateral faces 4b of the arm 4, the tongue 17 then being folded over the finger 5 to cover its inner face with respect to the handle, the tongue 17 being hooked by its end 17a at the free end of the finger 5. The mounting position of the cap assembly 8 and cap 14 is shown not only in Figure 15, but also in Figures 7 and 13, so that the rear faces 4a and LATER ale 4b of the arm 4 are completely covered, only the front face of the foot 4 is not, the inner face of the finger 5 being covered by the tongue 17.

Thus, the cap 14 is adapted to constitute three guide zones respectively rear and upper and lower considering the handle in the horizontal position, allowing not only the removal of the shrinkage in the area or rear functional face of the arm 4 of the handle 1, But also to prevent the production of friction during maneuvers between the handle 1 and the base 3 by the anti-friction property of the material constituting the cap 14 and the cap 8. In addition, the assembly in one piece constituted by the plug and the cap 14 can replace the handle cap and the pin of the previous devices and this set is easily mounted by snapping to the handle 1. The handle is adapted to receive this set in the same functional volume as the known solutions.

• la pièce à bouchon 8 et coiffe 14 étant indépendante du point de vue procédé de réalisation, elle peut être optimisée pour répondre aux contraintes fonctionnelles, telles que jeu/guidage de la poignée, efforts de manoeuvre, les retassures , qualité perçue en manoeuvre, sans pour autant gêner l'aspect esthétique de la poignée, de sorte que sa mise au point s'en trouve largement facilitée ;
• le revêtement anti-corrosion, notamment par électrozingage , du socle peut être supprimé et il suffit de pulvériser de la graisse entre la liaison coiffe 14 solidaire du bras 4 et socle 3 en zamak pour résoudre le problème de corrosion du socle, solution beaucoup moins coûteuse que l'électrozingage du socle ;
• le fait d'avoir un ensemble à bouchon 8 et coiffe 14 en une seule pièce permet un gain de temps de montage, un montage automatique étant réalisable, de limiter le nombre de pièces de références et, par conséquent d'en réduire les coûts ;
• la suppression de la goupille de fixation du bouchon à l'extrémité de la poignée élimine le problème de rouille rouge que pose l'utilisation d'une telle goupille ;
• l'ensemble à bouchon et coiffe formant patin n'étant pas peint quand la poignée l'est, le dépôt de peinture dans les zones fonctionnelles ne nuira plus à l'onctuosité de manoeuvre (risque de copeaux de peinture) et toute critique sur l'aspect de la poignée en position tirée (film de peinture mal délimité ou abîmé par les manoeuvres) sera supprimée ;
• cet ensemble est modulaire car indépendant de la poignée. Suivant les fonctions demandées, notamment pour les véhicules haut de gamme, cet ensemble peut répondre à deux fonctions: intégration d'une chicane « bruits aérodynamiques » ou d'un joint d'amortissement pour le « lâcher de poignée » ; et
• la solution de l'invention est utilisable en particulier à une porte coulissante de véhicule qui est tirée en direction longitudinale vers l'arrière du véhicule par la poignée et à frottements, limités en partie arrière.

The device according to the invention has the following advantages:

• the piece with cap 8 and cap 14 being independent from the point of view of the production method, it can be optimized to meet the functional constraints, such as play / guide the handle, maneuvering forces, sinkings, quality perceived in maneuver, without however, to disturb the aesthetic appearance of the handle, so that its development is greatly facilitated;
• the anti-corrosion coating, in particular by electrogalvanizing, of the base can be suppressed and it suffices to spray grease between the cap link 14 secured to the arm 4 and base 3 in zamak to solve the problem of corrosion of the base, a much less expensive solution electrogalvanizing the pedestal;
• the fact of having a cap assembly 8 and cap 14 in one piece allows a saving in assembly time, an automatic assembly being feasible, to limit the number of reference parts and, therefore to reduce costs;
• the removal of the pin fixing the plug at the end of the handle eliminates the problem of red rust that poses the use of such a pin;
• the stopper assembly and cap forming a shoe being not painted when the handle is, the deposit painting in the functional areas will no longer affect the smoothness of maneuver (risk of paint chips) and any criticism on the appearance of the handle in the fired position (poorly defined paint film or damaged by maneuvers) will be removed;
• this set is modular because independent of the handle. Depending on the functions required, especially for high-end vehicles, this set can meet two functions: integration of a baffle "aerodynamic noise" or a damping joint for the "release handle"; and
• the solution of the invention is usable in particular to a vehicle sliding door which is pulled in the longitudinal direction towards the rear of the vehicle by the handle and friction limited in rear part.

Claims (10)

Device for controlling the opening of a lock of a vehicle opening, such as a motor vehicle, comprising a handle (1) arranged on the outer face of a body panel of the opening and hinged at one of its ends on a base (3) secured to the inner face of the panel of the opening around an axis (X1, X2) substantially parallel to the general plane of the panel, between a rest position and a position extreme of actuation, the handle (1) having in the vicinity of its opposite end an arm (4) traversing the panel perpendicularly and provided at its end with a control finger (5) substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the handle ( 1) and can cause a return lever (7) pivotally mounted on the base (3) about an axis (X3, X4) parallel to the axis of articulation of the handle (1), the return lever ( 7) being connected to the lock by drive means and the part of e end of the handle opposite to its axis of articulation being closed by a closure cap (8), characterized in that the closure cap (8) is integral with a cap (14) of anti-friction material for retaining the plug (8) in the end portion of the handle (1) and partially covering the arm (4) and the finger (5) of the handle (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (14) has a core wall (16) located on the side of the outer face of the closure cap (8) and for covering the outer face (4a) of the arm ( 4) of the handle (1) and two side walls (15) for covering the side faces (4b) of this arm. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cap (14) also comprises at its opposite end to the cap (8) a tongue elastically deformable member (17) substantially perpendicular to the core wall (16) of the cap (14) and for covering the inner face of the finger (5) of the handle (1) intended to cooperate with one end of the pivoting return lever (7). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the tongue (17) has its free end (17a) curved hook and in which can engage the corresponding end of the finger (5) of the handle (1). Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the two side walls (15) of the cap (14) comprise two ribs (19) which can be resiliently embedded in two lateral notches (20) of the arm (4). ) of the handle (1) to retain the cap (14) to the arm (4). Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the core wall (16) and the two side walls (15) of the cap (14) have a U-shaped cross-section adapted to receive a conjugate form. arm (4) of the handle (1). Device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the arm (4) of the handle (1) comprises an opening (21) for the passage of the tongue (17) of the cap (14) above finger (5) of this handle and the cap (14) comprises an opening located between the core wall (16) of the cap (14) and the tongue (17) substantially at the same level as the latter to allow the introduction arm (4) in the cap (14) by pivoting the cap (14) and embedding the cap (8) in the end of the handle (1) and hooking the tongue (17) on the finger ( 5). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (8) and the cap (14) are made in one piece. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the plug (8) and the cap (14) are made of a plastic material with a low coefficient of friction, in particular based on polyacetate. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (3) is zamak and the handle (1) is a thermoplastic material including polyamide.

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