FR2968345A1 - Panel drive mechanism for use in panel assembly for driving panel e.g. sliding window, has power module attached to movable panel, where power module includes two synchronized pinions engaged on toothed racks fixed relative to frame - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism has a power module (21) attached to a movable panel (20), where the power module includes two synchronized pinions (23, 23') engaged on toothed racks (24, 24') fixed relative to a frame. The pinions are connected to a synchronizing shaft (25), and a motor (27) is equipped with a pinion (28) that is engaged on one of the racks, where the pinion of the motor meshes with the pinion on the synchronizing shaft. The power module includes a dedicated battery (32) recharged by a photovoltaic panel. An independent claim is also included for a panel assembly equipped with the drive mechanism, comprising a top panel.

Description

The invention relates to a motorization device panels such as for example a sliding window, a boat sunroof, hinged flaps or any other type of rigid or flexible panel. The invention also relates to an arrangement of occultation panels equipped with this motorization device. According to a known configuration, described in FIG. 1 relating to the prior art, the setting in motion of a panel by means of a motorization is frequently provided by a motor (10) fixed relative to the frame (11) which transmits the movement to a panel (12) through a pinion (13) mounted on the drive shaft (14) and a rack (15) attached to the panel (12). The panel (12) is guided in translation by a slide connection (16). The slide connection (16) is generally made on both sides of the panel. This sliding connection sometimes having a significant functional clearance, particularly to allow the expansion of the panel (16), it is necessary that the transmission of the movement is done in the center of the panel so as to avoid any risk of jamming by buttresses. However, in particular configurations or when for example the panel is transparent it is not possible to place the transmission in the center.

The aim of the present invention is to find a solution to this problem by proposing a particularly advantageous motorization device which comprises a motorized module fixed laterally on the movable panel, said motorized module integrating a motor and a synchronization axis, said synchronization axis presenting at each of its ends a pinion, said pinions meshing on racks, fixed relative to the frame, distributed on either side of the movable panel.

Thus, the motorized module is directly secured to the movable panel and accompanies in its movement, the racks are fixed on the frame. According to a feature of the invention, the motor is provided with a pinion directly meshing on one of the racks, the synchronization axis for distributing the forces between the two racks. According to another variant, the motor meshes directly the synchronization axis which allows the motorized module a rotational movement making it particularly applicable to articulated panels.

Advantageously, the motorized module is autonomous in energy and includes a battery, said battery can be recharged using a photovoltaic panel integrated in the motorization module. Alternatively the charging of the battery can be provided by charging contacts located at one or more points on the path of the movable panel, for example the end positions. Thus, during the movement, the power supply of the motor is carried out by the battery then the battery is recharged at the end of the race to be able to make the next movement. According to another variant, the motorized module is directly powered by a cable adapted to follow the motorized module in its path. The cable may then be in the form of a spiral flexible cable or a cable guided in a "cable holder" chain known to those skilled in the art.

According to another variant, a feed track is formed along the guide of the panel and sliding contacts positioned on the motorized module provide the power supply. Other details and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, of an embodiment of the invention and illustrated by the drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a known configuration of motorization of a mobile panel; FIG. 2 represents a general view of the device according to the invention; - Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the motorization module according to a first embodiment; FIG. 4 represents a detailed view of an embodiment of the battery recharging system; FIG. 5 represents the implementation of the invention in a sliding door application with articulated panels; - Figure 6 shows the implementation of the invention in an application of hinged flaps. As shown in Figure 2, a panel (20) is guided in translation by unrepresented slides. These slides may be carriages, a sliding groove or any other mode of guide in translation known to those skilled in the art. A motorized module (21) is attached to one end of the panel (20). The motorized module consists of a casing (22) integral with the movable panel (20). This housing can for example be made in the form of an extruded aluminum profile. The motorized module has at each of its ends pinions (23), (23 ') coming to engage on racks (24), (24'), fixed to the frame not shown. The two gears (23) and (23 ') are interconnected by a synchronizing shaft (25). The synchronizing shaft (25) is guided in rotation relative to the housing (22). The rotation guidance can be achieved by bearings or ball bearings inserted into end pieces (26), (26 ') closing off the ends of the housing (22). According to an embodiment shown in Figure 2, a motor (27) is fixed on one of the end pieces (26) and carries a pinion (28) directly meshing with one of the racks (27). Thanks to the synchronizing shaft (25), the torque generated by the motor is distributed evenly over the two racks which allows the panel (20) to slide perfectly in the axis. According to another variant shown in Figure 3, the motor pinion (28) meshes directly with a pinion (29) mounted on the synchronization shaft (25). This configuration is particularly advantageous when the entire motorized module must be free to rotate around the synchronization shaft (25), in particular for articulated panel applications as shown in FIG. 6. The synchronization shaft (25) ) can be provided with intermediate rotational guides (30) so as to limit the bending of the shaft, particularly when the distance between the two gears (23) and (23 ') is important. Electronic means (31) for controlling the motor, managing the power supply and receiving a control command, by radio waves or by infrared, are integrated in the housing (22). In the case where the module is energy independent, one or more batteries (32) are integrated in the housing. The batteries can be recharged by a photovoltaic panel, not shown, fixed on the housing or on the movable panel. According to another variant illustrated in Figure 4, the charging of the battery is provided by refill pads (40) located for example at the ends of the race on the racks. Charging terminals (41), located on the motorized module, come into contact with these charging pads (40) thereby recharging the batteries. Thus, the module is autonomous in energy during its movement and the battery is recharged in the end position.

Finally, according to another variant, the power supply can be provided by sliding contacts connected to the motorized module and maintaining the contact along the entire path of said module with fixed feed tracks made for example on the side faces of the racks. In this case, the presence of a battery is no longer necessary and the electronic means can be simplified if the power is supplied only when the motor is to rotate and inverting the direction of the polarizations when the movement is to take place in the opposite way. In addition to the simple sliding applications of panels such as a window, a vehicle sunroof for example, the invention finds particular interest in the applications as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5, a door (49) is composed of a plurality of articulated panels (50) sliding in a slide (51). The slide (51) is made of two non-aligned sections and the articulation of the panels together allows the door to follow this path. The motorized module (21) is connected to one of the panels and the racks (24) and (24 ') are fixed on the fixed part of the frame (52).

Figure 6, two obscuration panels (60) and (61) of a window, not shown, are articulated to close it in one of their position or to fold at the upper end of the window to form a sunshade in another position. The upper panel (60) is guided in rotation relative to the frame (62) fixed along a horizontal axis (63) on its upper end. The two panels (60) and (61) are hinged together along a horizontal axis (64) passing through the lower end of the panel (60) and the upper end of the panel (61). The lower end of the panel (61) is guided in translation by slides along a vertical axis. The motorized module Zo (21) as described according to the invention and attached to the lower end of the panel (61) and the racks (24) are fixed vertically relative to the fixed frame.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS1 / Device for the motorization of a mobile panel relative to a frame, characterized in that it comprises a motorized module (21), fixed to said movable panel (20), said motorized module having at its ends two synchronized gears ( 23, 23 ') meshing on racks (24, 24') connected to the fixed frame. 2 / panel drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pinions (23, 23 ') are connected to the same synchronization shaft (25), a motor (27) equipped with a pinion (28) engage one of the racks (24). 3 / A drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pinions (23, 23 ') are connected to the same synchronization shaft (25), a motor (27) equipped with a pinion (28) coming from meshing with a pinion (29) mounted on the synchronization shaft (25). 4 / A motorization device according to one of the preceding claims, 15 characterized in that the motorized module (21) comprises an autonomous power source (32). 5 / A motorization device according to claim 4, characterized in that the autonomous power source (32) is recharged by a photovoltaic panel. 6 / A motorization device according to claim 4, characterized in that the autonomous power source (32) is recharged by one or more charging pads located in the path of the motorized module. 7 / Device according to one of the claims. 1 to 4, characterized in that the motorized module is powered by sliding contacts connected to the motorized module and maintaining contact over the entire path of said module with fixed feed tracks. 8 / Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing (22) incorporating the various elements of the motorized module (21) said housing (22) consisting of an extruded profile whose ends are closed by end-pieces (26) and (26 ') forming a support for rotating the synchronizing shaft (25). 9 / set of panels equipped with a motorization device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an upper concealment panel (60) and u lower concealment panel (61), said upper panel (60) being guided in rotation relative to the frame (62) fixed along a horizontal axis (63) on its upper end, said panels (60) and (61) being hinged together along a horizontal axis (64) passing through the lower end of the upper panel (60) and the upper end of the lower panel (61), the lower end of the lower panel (61) being guided in translation by slides along a vertical axis, the motorized module (21) being fixed to the lower end of the lower panel (61) and the racks (24) being fixed vertically relative to the fixed frame.