EP3007920A1

EP3007920A1 - Device for blacking-out a picture window actuated by an inflatable element

Info

Publication number: EP3007920A1
Application number: EP13745144.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aymeric PATIN
Original assignee: Flexoma
Current assignee: Flexoma
Priority date: 2013-06-11
Filing date: 2013-06-11
Publication date: 2016-04-20
Also published as: WO2014199023A1; US20160318377A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for blacking-out a picture window (B), comprising a frame (1) supporting a curtain (2) which is mobile between a retracted position (R) and a black-out position (O) and comprises at least one inflatable element (3) built into the curtain (2) and suitable for moving the curtain (2) into the black-out position during the inflation thereof, and into the retracted position (R) during the deflation thereof.

Description

Device for concealing a bay window operated by an inflatable element

[01] The present invention relates to the technical field of occultation devices of a vehicle bay window used in particular to stop at least a portion of solar radiation passing through the window of the bay.

[02] In the above field, it is known to implement, in the context of motor vehicles in particular, shading blinds which are stored on a spring winder and which are unwound manually to obscure part of the windows they equip. Such systems have the disadvantage of not being able to be motorized easily.

[03] It is also known, for the concealment of glazed vehicle roofs, motorized curtains that move along integrated rails in the ceiling of the vehicle. Such motorized curtains effectively allow remote control without manual maneuver but have the disadvantage of requiring guide systems and maneuvering cables, complex and expensive and relatively heavy.

[04] It has therefore emerged the need for a new type of concealment device which can be maneuvered remotely in a simple and light manner without the need for a complex cable maneuvering system.

[05] In order to achieve this object, the invention relates to an obscuration device of a bay window comprising a frame supporting a curtain which is movable between a retracted position and an occultation position and which comprises at least one inflatable element. integrated in the curtain and adapted to, when inflated, move the movable curtain in the occultation position and, when deflating, move the movable curtain retracted position.

[06] According to the invention, the inflatable element comprises a flexible hollow envelope comprising:

- a rear panel intended to be placed towards the bay window,

- a front panel located opposite the rear panel and intended to be placed opposite the bay window,

and the concealment device further comprises:

a load bar connected to the front and rear panels of the inflatable element,

means for guiding in translation of the load bar, at least, which is displaced in translation by the inflatable element between: a folded position in which the curtain is folded into the retracted position, the load bar being close to the chassis,

- An unfolded position in which the curtain is unfolded in the occultation position, the load bar being away from the frame.

[07] The implementation of an inflatable element associated with the load bar ensures the deployment and retraction of the curtain by a translation movement in a simple manner without control cable.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the concealment device comprises at least one rigid rib which is connected to the front and / or rear panels of the inflatable element. The implementation of such a rigid rib allows in particular to conform the inflatable element so that its rear panel has a shape complementary to that of the window of the bay. In addition, the rigid rib prevents the front and rear panels from coming into contact with each other during vacuum deflation of the air contained in the inflatable element. Each rigid rib may further comprise extensions ensuring the maintenance of the parts of the curtain that are not formed by the or inflatable elements.

[09] According to a variant of this feature, the concealment device comprises a plurality of rigid ribs which are each connected to the front and / or rear panels of the inflatable element and which are distant from each other when the curtain is in position d occultation. The distribution of rigid ribs makes it possible to control the shape of the curtain in the occultation position as well as the deflation of each inflatable element. The rigid ribs are, preferably, substantially parallel to each other when the movement of the curtain is in translation. However another arrangement of rigid ribs is possible. Thus, when the curtain unfolds in the manner of a fan, the rigid ribs are arranged so as to converge in the same direction.

[10] According to another variant of this characteristic, each rigid rib is located inside the envelope of the inflatable element.

[11] In the context of this variant, at least some rigid ribs may then include openings for the passage of inflation air.

According to another characteristic of the invention, certain rigid ribs have, in transverse cross-section, a shape that is at least partly convex and / or concave. Such a shape of the ribs makes it possible to define a guiding space for the folds of the panels of the inflatable element in the retracted position without increasing the distance between the front and rear panels in the extension position of the curtain when the inflatable element is inflated. .

[13] According to yet another feature of the invention, the inflatable member extends over the entire surface of the curtain. The implementation of such an inflatable element which is over the entire surface of the curtain ensures better thermal insulation at the bay window.

[14] According to the invention, the guide means can be made in any suitable manner. Thus, according to a first embodiment of the invention, the guide means comprise at least one fixed bar for guiding the load bar. Such a fixed guide bar may then be located outside the inflatable element. According to a variant of this embodiment, the fixed guide bar extends in part at least inside the inflatable element. The guide bar can then cross the load bar and the constituent envelope of the element without the need to ensure sealing at this level. In this case, the inflation system has an inflation rate greater than the leakage rate at the passage (s) of the inflatable element by the guide means.

[15] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the guide means comprise an articulated armature:

- which is linked to the chassis,

- which, opposite the chassis, has a load bar connected to the curtain,

- and who moves between:

a folded position in which the curtain is in the retracted position, the load bar being close to the chassis,

- An unfolded position in which the curtain is in the occultation position, the load bar being away from the frame.

[16] The implementation of such an articulated frame facilitates the movement of the curtain between its positions of concealment and retraction. Thus, it is not necessary to implement an external structure for guiding the curtain which facilitates installation and therefore reduces the cost.

[17] [18] According to another characteristic of the invention, the hinged armature is located inside the envelope of the inflatable element. Such a positioning of the rigid frame makes it possible to protect it and conceal it from view in order to offer a satisfactory aesthetic to the concealment device according to the invention.

[19] According to yet another feature of the invention, each rigid rib comprises a passage window of the hinged armature.

[20] According to a feature of the invention, the articulated armature is articulated on at least some rigid ribs.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least some rigid ribs are an integral part of the articulated structure so that the articulated armature is partly formed by at least rigid ribs.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the concealment device comprises motorized inflation means adapted to inflate and deflate the inflatable element.

[23] Of course, the various features, variations and embodiments of the invention may be associated with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

[24] Furthermore, various other features of the invention appear from the attached description with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of a device according to the invention for concealment of a bay window .

- Figure 1 is a schematic sectional front view of a concealment device according to the invention in the retracted position.

- Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the concealment device, shown in Figure 1, in the occultation position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic transverse section along the plane III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevation of a rigid rib constituting the occulting device illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

- Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2 showing an intermediate phase of the movement of the occulting device.

- Figure 6 is a schematic perspective showing an alternative embodiment of an articulated frame of a concealment device according to the invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 show variant embodiments of an occultation device according to the invention, respectively in side view and in front view.

- Figures 9 and 10 show alternative embodiments of rigid ribs constituting a shading device according to the invention.

- Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of a concealment device according to the invention, in front view.

- Figure 13 is a schematic cross section of another embodiment of a concealment device according to the invention.

[25] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[26] A concealment device according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, is intended to ensure a temporary and at least partial occultation of a bay window B such as for example a vehicle side window, a windshield or a rear window. It should be noted that if the concealment device according to the invention finds a preferred application in the concealment of vehicle bays, it can also be used for concealment of windows of buildings.

[27] The concealment device comprises a frame 1 which supports a curtain 2 movable between a retraction position R, illustrated in FIG. 1, and a concealment position 0 which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in which the curtain 2 at least partially obscures the bay B. The frame 1 is intended to be integrated into the carrier structure of the bay or to be attached to this supporting structure. The curtain 2 comprises at least one inflatable element 3 which is connected to inflating means 4 adapted to insufflate or suck air into the inflatable element 3. The latter is then adapted to, during its inflation, move the curtain 2 in the occultation position and, when deflating, move the movable curtain retracted position R. The inflation means 4 comprise, for example, a reversible electric pump 5 which is connected by a pipe 6 to the element Inflatable 3. The pipe 6 is then controlled by a valve 7 which is open when the pump 5 is operating, and closed when the latter is stopped. Thus, depending on the direction of operation of the pump 5, the inflation means 4 ensure the filling or the air discharge of the inflatable element 3. The pump 5 can be located in the immediate vicinity of the chassis 1 or be integrated into the chassis 1 or on the contrary be located away from the frame 1 by being connected to the inflatable element 3 by the pipe 6.

[28] According to the invention, the curtain 2 may comprise one or more inflatable elements occupying only part of its surface. According to the illustrated example, the inflatable element 3 extends over any surface of the curtain 2 so that the latter can be qualified in its overall curtain airbag.

[29] The inflatable element 3, constituent of the curtain 2 in this case, is formed by an envelope which comprises a rear panel 10 intended to be placed towards the bay window B and a front panel 11 located opposite the rear panel 10 and intended to be placed opposite the bay window B. The inflatable element 3 also comprises two side panels 12 and a lower panel 13 which connect the front panels 11 and rear 10. The inflatable element is in position. further connected, opposite the lower panel 13, sealingly to the frame 1 which provides a distribution box function ensuring a distribution of air over the entire length of the frame 1. The envelope constituting the inflatable element 3 can be made of any suitable airtight material. Thus, the envelope may be made of a multilayer plastic film comprising a sheet of a reflective material such as aluminum so as to reflect a portion of the solar radiation to reduce the greenhouse effect inside the vehicle when the curtain 2 is in occultation position O. Furthermore, it should be noted that inflatable character of the curtain 2 allows it to constitute an insulation element of the bay window B when it is in the occultation position. It should be noted that the airtightness of the envelope is not necessarily total and that the latter may have one or more vanishing points.

[30] According to the illustrated example, in order to facilitate deflation and prevent the inflatable element once inflated too large bellies, the concealment device comprises at least one and, according to the illustrated example, eight rigid ribs 15 which are each connected to the front panels 11 and rear 10 of the inflatable element 3. Each rigid rib 15 has a substantially rectangular shape, as is apparent from Figure 4. Each rib 15 is constituted by a flank of material thin plastic. The rigid ribs 15 are disposed inside the casing 3 with their longitudinal edges 16 welded or glued to the front panels 11 and rear 10 so that the ribs 15 define casings inside the casing 3. to allow a good flow of air inside the inflatable element 3 and a box to another, each rib 15 comprises openings 17 for the passage of inflation air. The rigid ribs 15 are arranged substantially parallel to each other while being distributed inside the casing 3 when the curtain 2 is in the occulting position 0.

[31] The rigid ribs 15 therefore prevent the front panels 11 and rear 10 are too far apart and form bellies when the inflatable element 3 is inflated. In addition, the rigid ribs 15 prevent the front panels 11 and rear 10 from sticking against each other under the effect of atmospheric pressure when the air is sucked out of the inflatable element3 in order to reduce the pressure. curtain 2 retracted position R. Indeed, such contact between the front panels 11 and rear 10 of the inflatable element 3 would be likely to prevent complete deflation of the latter.

[32] According to the illustrated example the concealment device also comprises, as guide means, an articulated frame 20 which is connected to the frame 1. The articulated frame 20 carries, opposite the frame 1, a load bar 21 which is linked to the curtain 2 and more particularly to the front panels 11 and rear 10 at the bottom of the latter. In the present case, the hinged armature 20 is disposed inside the inflatable element 3 by passing through windows 22 provided for this purpose in each of the rigid ribs 15. The hinged armature 20 comprises two arms 23 formed of two segments 24, 25 articulated together. A first segment 24 is further articulated on the frame 1 while the second segment 25 is articulated on the load bar 21.

[33] The concealment device as thus constituted operates in the following manner.

[34] From the retraction position R as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the deployment of the curtain 2 is desired, the operation of the pump 5 and the opening of the valve 7 are controlled so as to blow the air. air inside the inflatable element 3. This inflation contributes to a volume of the inflatable element 3 so as to bring the curtain 2 in its occultation position O as illustrated in Figure 2.

[35] Once the inflation is completed, the pump 5 is stopped and the closing of the valve 7 is controlled. Thus, the inflatable element 3 remains in the inflated position and keeps the curtain 2 in its state of occultation. Closing the valve 7 makes it possible to avoid a spontaneous deflation of the inflatable element 3 and this especially when the articulated armature comprises return means in the folded position.

[36] When a retraction of the curtain 2 is desired to clear the view through the bay window B, it is controlled an opening of the valve 7 and a functioning of the pump 5 in suction to evacuate the air in the inflatable element 3. The depression thus created in the inflatable element 3 tends to fold inward the panels of the latter as shown in Figure 5, the rigid ribs 15 can then control this folding in preventing the panels from coming into contact with each other so that air can be completely removed from the interior of the envelope through openings 15 and windows 22. In addition, the hinged armature that passes inside the windows 22 prevents the rigid ribs 15 from moving across so that the curtain 2 can gradually fold back to its retracted position. In the retracted position the inflatable element and the curtain therefore, are folded on themselves in accordion in the manner of the bellows of such an accordion.

[37] According to the example illustrated and described above, the articulated armature 20 passes inside the rigid ribs 15 without being directly articulated on the latter. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the articulated armature may comprise segments articulated directly on the rigid ribs 15 which then form an integral part of the articulated armature 20.

[38] Furthermore, according to the invention the structure of the articulated armature can be made in different ways and does not necessarily include articulated arms with two segments as described above. Thus, the articulated armature may comprise a pantograph system as illustrated in FIG. 7. It should be noted that according to this example the curtain 2 is adapted to deploy in a substantially horizontal trajectory whereas according to the example described in FIG. relationship with Figures 1 to 5 the movement of the curtain is in a substantially vertical direction. In addition, according to the example of Figure 7 the curtain has a generally trapezoidal shape particularly suitable for a vehicle side window.

[39] FIG. 8 illustrates another variant embodiment in which the articulated segments 24 and 25 of the hinged armature 20 comprise conical joints allowing the curtain 2 of the concealment device according to the invention to form an angle when it is in the occultation position as shown. [40] According to the embodiment of the illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 and described above, each rigid rib has, in top view, a substantially rectangular shape. However, such a form is not strictly necessary. Indeed, each rigid rib 15 may have a different shape to follow the shape of the window that the curtain 2 must hide. Thus, Figure 9 shows an example of a rigid rib whose shape is adapted to the concealment of a concave window such as a vehicle windshield.

[41] Figure 10 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a rigid rib of a concealment device according to the invention. According to this variant the rigid rib has, in transverse cross section, concave and convex side portions 36. These lateral portions 36 guide the folds of the rear panels 10 and 11 before deflation of the inflatable element 3. Thus, it is possible to fold a longer panel length than that which would be possible to fold if the rib was flat.

According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the lateral panels 12 and lower 13 of the envelope constituting the inflatable element 3 are connected to the ribs 15 and to the load bar. 21. However, the side and bottom panels may not be connected to the ribs or the load bar so as to inflate freely for example abut against another adjacent curtain or against the carrier structure of the bay to ensure a better occultation.

[43] According to the examples described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the guide means of the load bar comprise the hinged armature 20. However, such an embodiment of the guide means is not strictly necessary. Thus, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate another embodiment of the invention according to which the guiding means comprise two fixed guide bars 30 which are parallel to each other and to the direction of translation of the load bar 21. fixed guiding guides 30 are partly at least disposed inside the inflatable element 3 constituting the curtain 2 and they pass through the load bar 21 and the ribs 15. There are then leaks at each passage of a guide bar 30 in the load bar 21. The flow of the inflation means 4 is then adapted to compensate for these leaks and allow the curtain 2 to be inflated. [44] Figure 13 illustrates yet another embodiment of a curtain according to the invention, wherein the ribs 15 are hinged one after the other accordion.

[45] Of course, various other modifications of the invention may be contemplated within the scope of the appended claims

Claims

1. A window bay obscuration device (B) comprising a frame (1) supporting a curtain (2) which is movable between a retraction position (R) and a concealment position (0) and which comprises at least an inflatable element (3) integrated in the curtain (2) and adapted, when it is inflated, to move the curtain (2) to the occultation position (0) and, when deflating, to move the curtain (2) into position retraction device (R), characterized in that:

the inflatable element (3) comprises a flexible hollow envelope comprising:

a rear panel (10) intended to be placed towards the bay window (B),

a front panel (11) located opposite the rear panel (10) and intended to be placed opposite the bay window (B),

- it also includes:

a load bar (21) connected to the front (11) and rear (10) panels of the inflatable element (3),

means for translational guidance of the load bar (21), at least, which is displaced in translation by the inflatable element (3) between:

- a folded position in which the curtain (2) is folded into the retracted position (R), the load bar (21) being close to the frame (1),

- An unfolded position in which curtain (2) is unfolded in the occultation position (O), the load bar (21) being away from the frame (1).

2. Device for concealment according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one rigid rib (15) which is connected to the front panels (11) and / or rear (10) of the inflatable element (3) .

3. Device for concealment according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of rigid ribs (15) which are each connected to the front panels (11) and / or rear (10) of the inflatable element (3) and which are spaced from each other when the curtain (2) is in the occultation position (O).

4. Occulting device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each rigid rib (15) is located inside the envelope of the inflatable element (3).

5. A concealment device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least some rigid ribs (15) comprise openings (17) for the passage of inflation air.

6. Device for concealment according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that some rigid ribs (15) have a cross sectional shape in part at least convex and / or concave.

7. Device for concealment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inflatable element (3) extends over the entire surface of the curtain (2).

8. Device for concealment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide means comprise at least one fixed guide bar of the load bar.

9. Device for concealment according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixed guide bar extends in part at least inside the inflation element (3).

10. Device for concealment according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide means comprise an articulated frame (20):

- which is linked to the chassis (1),

- which, opposite the chassis (1), carries a load bar (21) connected to the curtain (2),

- and who moves between:

a folded position in which the curtain (2) is in the retracted position (R), the load bar (21) being close to the frame (1),

- An unfolded position in which curtain (2) is in the occultation position (O), the load bar (21) being away from the frame (1).

11. Device for concealment according to claim 10, characterized in that the articulated armature (20) is located inside the envelope of the inflatable element (3).

12. A concealment device according to one of claims 2 to 6 and claim 10 or

11. characterized in that each rigid rib (15) comprises at least one window (22) for passage of the hinged armature (20).

13. Device for concealment according to one of claims 2 to 6 and one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the articulated armature (20) is articulated on at least some rigid ribs (15).

14. Device for concealment according to one of claims 2 to 6 and one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the articulated armature (20) is partly formed at least by rigid ribs (15).

15. Device for concealment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises motorized inflation means (4) adapted to inflate and deflate the inflatable element (3).