FR3101320A1 - Retractable sliding door stopper for motor vehicle. - Google Patents

Abstract

Sliding door stop retractable for motor vehicle. The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for a vehicle (1) comprising a body (2), a sliding door (3) for moving between a closed position and an open position and vice versa, a rail ( 4) arranged on the body (2), a carriage fixed to the sliding door, the carriage comprising at least one wheel with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the main direction of the rail, the wheel cooperating with the rail so as to guide and / or support the sliding door during the opening and / or closing movements of the sliding door, a stop fixed at the level of the rail cooperating with the carriage so as to stop the sliding door, the stop comprising a lever in pivot connection . Figure for the abstract: fig. 1.

Description

Retractable sliding door stopper for a motor vehicle.

The invention relates to an arrangement of a sliding door on a vehicle body. The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising such an arrangement. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a sliding door on a vehicle body.

State of the prior art

A motor vehicle, in particular a utility motor vehicle or designed on the basis of a utility motor vehicle, generally comprises a sliding door. Such a sliding door is generally arranged on a single side, or even on each side, of a body of such a vehicle. This is called a sliding side door. Generally such a sliding side door comprises at least one carriage cooperating with a guide or rail mounted on the body.

However, when the motor vehicle is parked on a slope, the start of opening of a sliding side door tends to fully open the door due to gravity. When the motor vehicle is parked downhill, opening the door is difficult since it tends to close due to gravity. To avoid these inconveniences, usually at least one stop, or "hard point", along the track helps to maintain an open position of the door. Such an opening stop position offers almost total opening of the door, which is particularly advantageous when the vehicle is parked on a slope or downhill.

However, in the factory, when mounting the sliding door in the rail fixed to the body, the sliding door stop(s) are already present in the rail. The stop(s) then interfere with the passage of the trolley in the rail when inserting or fitting the door trolley into the rail. This results in an ergonomic problem for the operator in charge of mounting the sliding doors, this operation being both delicate and physically tiring.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement remedying the above drawbacks and improving the sliding door mounting methods known from the prior art. In particular, the invention makes it possible to reduce the effort required to insert a sliding door carriage at a stop already present in a guide rail.

To achieve this objective, the invention relates to an arrangement for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle body,
- a sliding door, in particular a sliding side door, intended to move between a closed position and an open position and vice versa, in particular by passing through a stop position when opening the sliding door,
- a rail extending in a main direction, or substantially in a main direction, arranged on the body, in particular a main direction extending longitudinally or substantially longitudinally,
- a carriage fixed to the sliding door, the carriage comprising at least one wheel with an axis of rotation perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the rail, the at least one wheel cooperating with the rail so as to guide and/or support the sliding door during opening and/or closing movements of the sliding door,
- a stop fixed at the level of the rail cooperating with the carriage so as to stop the sliding door, in particular to partially stop the sliding door in the open stop position,
the stop comprising a lever in pivot connection at a first end around a first axis, the lever comprising a roller mounted in rotation around a second axis at a second end of the lever, the first and second axes of the lever and the axis of rotation of the at least one wheel being parallel or substantially parallel, the stop comprising a return means, in particular a spring, generating a first torque tending to cause the lever to pivot around the first axis in a first direction so that the roller is constantly pushed towards the rail and that the roller comes into contact with the at least one wheel of the carriage when the sliding door is, or is substantially, in a stop position, in particular the position close to total opening, the lever being capable of being pivoted in a second direction, opposite to the first direction,
and the stop comprising a mounting means intended to counter the first torque so as to limit the effort to pass the at least one wheel of the carriage at the level of the roller during the mounting of the sliding door on the body.

The mounting means may comprise a tongue adapted to assume a retaining position in which the tongue against the first pair.

The lever may comprise a protrusion, in particular a protrusion extending from the second end of the lever, in particular a protrusion provided with an orifice, the protrusion of the lever being able to cooperate with the tongue in the retaining position.

The tongue may comprise a lug intended to come into abutment against the protrusion, in particular against at least one edge of the orifice of the protrusion.

The tongue can be deformed in its elastic zone in the retaining position.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an arrangement as defined above.

The invention also relates to a method for mounting a sliding door on a body of a vehicle as defined above, the method comprising:
- a step of providing a vehicle body comprising a rail provided with a stopper, a sliding door provided with a carriage comprising at least one wheel,
- a step of arming the mounting means, in particular by rotation of the stop lever in the second direction and bending of the tab against the protrusion so as to put the tab in its retaining position, in particular by contact with the lug with an edge of the orifice of the excrescence,
- a step of inserting the carriage within the rail until the passage of at least one wheel of the carriage at the level of the roller of the stop, this passage causing a pivoting of the lever in the second direction releasing the mounting means from its retaining position, in particular by elastic return of the tongue.

Presentation of figures

These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment given on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures, among which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a sliding door stop of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the stop according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a front view of the stop according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top view of the stop according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic partial top view of an arrangement ready to receive a sliding door, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic partial top view of the arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention, at the start of assembly of a sliding door.

Figure 8 is a schematic partial top view of the arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention, during assembly of a sliding door.

Figure 9 is a schematic partial top view of the arrangement according to the embodiment of the invention, the sliding door being mounted.

detailed description

The direction in which a motor vehicle moves in a straight line is defined as the longitudinal direction X. By convention, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, located in a plane parallel to the ground, is called the transverse direction Y. The third direction, perpendicular to the other two, is called the vertical direction Z. Thus, a direct reference XYZ is used in which X is the longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, therefore directed towards the rear, Y is the transverse direction directed towards the right and Z is the vertical direction pointing up. The forward direction corresponds to the direction in which the motor vehicle usually moves in the longitudinal direction and is opposite to the rear direction.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1, preferably of the utility vehicle type or designed on the basis of a utility vehicle, comprises an arrangement 10.

The arrangement 10 includes a vehicle body 2. The arrangement 10 comprises a sliding door, preferably a sliding side door 3. For example, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a sliding side door on the right side of the body 2 and/or a sliding side door on the left side of the body 2. sliding door 3 is intended to move between a closed position and an open position and vice versa. Advantageously, between the closed position and the open position, the door passes through an open position, in particular a fully open position.

The arrangement 10 further comprises a rail 4 extending along a main direction, or substantially along a main direction. Preferably, in particular in the case of a sliding side door, the main direction is the longitudinal or substantially longitudinal direction. Rail 4 is arranged on body 2. By "arranged" is meant that rail 4 is attached to level and/or body 2, for example attached to a side of body 5 of body 2.

The arrangement 10 further comprises a carriage 20. Preferably the carriage 20 is fixed to the sliding door 3. The carriage 20 comprises at least one wheel 21 with an axis of rotation AR perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the rail 4. Wheel 21 cooperates with rail 4 so as to guide and/or support sliding door 3 during opening and/or closing movements. Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the carriage 20 comprises for example a second wheel 22. The second wheel 22 also cooperates with the rail 4 so as to guide and / or support the sliding door 3 during the opening and/or closing movements.

As illustrated in Figures 6 to 9, the arrangement 10 further comprises at least one stop 30 fixed at the level of the rail 4. As illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, fixing means 34 ensure the fixing of the stop at or on the rail 4. The fixing means 34 comprise for example at least one screw and/or at least one nut and/or at least one thread and or at least one pin and at least one centering bore. The stop 30 is intended to cooperate with the carriage 20 so as to stop the sliding door 3, preferably to partially stop the sliding door 3 in the open position, in particular in an intermediate stop position.

As illustrated in Figures 2 to 9, the stop 30 comprises a lever 40. The lever 40 is in pivot connection at a first end 41 of the lever 40, around a first axis A1. The lever 40 comprises a roller 31. The roller 31 is rotatably mounted around a second axis A2 at the level of a second end 42 of the lever 40. Preferably, the first and second axes A1, A2 of the lever 40 and l axis of rotation AR of wheel 21 of carriage 20 are parallel or substantially parallel as illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

The stop 30 further comprises a return means, for example a spring 32. The spring 32 can for example be a helical torsion spring as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, or a helical compression spring, as illustrated in Figures 6 to 9. Anyway, the spring 32 is able to generate a first torque C1 tending to cause the lever 40 to pivot around the first axis A1 in a first direction S1. In this first direction S1, the roller 31 is pushed towards the rail 4. Thus, the roller 31 can come into contact with the wheel 21 of the carriage 20 when the sliding door 3 is, or is substantially, in a stop position, in particular the open stop position, which can be an almost total open position, as will be explained more precisely later.

The lever 40 is still capable of being pivoted in a second direction S2, illustrated in FIG. 8, opposite to the first direction S1. To do this, a second pair C2 in the second direction S2, of greater absolute value than the first pair C1, is created.

The stopper 30 further comprises a mounting means 35, illustrated in particular in FIG. 7. The mounting means 35 of the sliding door 3 in the rail 4 is intended to counter the first torque C1 so as to limit the force for pass the wheel 21 of the carriage 20 at the level of the roller 31 during the assembly of the sliding door 3 on the body 2 as will be explained more precisely later.

The mounting means 35 preferably comprises a tab 36 able to assume a retaining position PRT in which the tab 36 against the first pair C1.

As illustrated in particular in Figure 6, the lever 40 preferably comprises a protrusion 43, for example a protrusion 43 extending from the second end 42 of the lever 40. Advantageously, the protrusion 43 is provided with an orifice 44. Thus, the protrusion 43 of the lever 40 can cooperate with the tongue 36 in the PRT retaining position. Preferably, the tongue 36 comprises a lug 37, or a notch, intended to come into abutment against the protuberance 43. For example, the lug 37 comes against at least one edge 45 of the orifice 44 provided in the protrusion 43 .

Note that in the PRT retaining position, in other words in the position in which the tongue 36 against the torque C1 of the spring 32 tending to approach the roller 31 towards the rail 4, the tongue 36 is deformed in its elastic zone. The tongue 36 is for example made of deformable steel, in particular of steel with a high carbon content, of the martensitic hardening type. For example, the tongue is made of EN10132-4 C175 material. Alternatively, or in addition, the spring tongue 36 is mounted on a rigid support, at the level of the rail 4 for example, and/or on a plate 33 of the stop 30. For example the spring tongue 36, or its rigid support, is fixed on the plate 33 and/or on the rail 4 by riveting.

An embodiment of a method for mounting a sliding door is described below.

The method includes a step of supplying a body 2 of vehicle 1. It should be noted that preferably the rail 4, already equipped with the stopper 30, is already fixed on the body 2 and/or on the side box 5 of the box 2. In this supply step, the sliding door 3, already equipped with the carriage 20 comprising at least the wheel 21, is also provided.

If this has not been done beforehand, the next step is to prepare the reception of the sliding door 3 in the rail 4 thanks to a step of arming the mounting means 35. This arming, or putting the tongue 36, is ensured by rotation of the lever 40 in the second direction S2, by applying a cocking torque exceeding the absolute value of the first torque C1. Once this rotation has been performed, the tab 36 is bent against the protrusion 43 so as to put the tab 36 in its retaining position PRT. We therefore come, for example, to bend the tab 36 so as to obtain contact between the lug 37 and the edge 45 of the orifice 44 of the protrusion 43, then the cocking torque is stopped. The spring 32 providing the first couple C1 in the first direction S1, a position of equilibrium is obtained. This position is the PRT retaining position in which the tongue 36, in particular its lug 37, remains in position against the edge 45 of the orifice 44. This PRT retaining position, after arming the tongue 36, is illustrated in particular in Figure 6. Note that in this position PRT of the tab 36, the roller 31 slightly obstructs the rail 4 at the level of the raceway of the wheels of the carriage 20.

Once the tab 36 armed, as shown in Figure 7, it is possible to proceed with a step of inserting the carriage 20 within the rail 4, in other words a step of mounting the sliding door.

Initially, we come into contact between the roller 31 and the wheel 21. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 7, we arrive at a tangency between the outer diameter 31 'of the roller 31 and the outer diameter 21' of the wheel 21. This tangency forms an angle β1 relative to the direction of movement of the carriage and therefore to the direction of the rail. The lower the angle β1, the less the effort for wheel 21 to pass beyond roller 31.

Secondly, by continuing to insert the carriage, as illustrated in FIG. 8, wheel 21 pushes roller 31, then causing lever 40 to pivot. In other words, the advancement of wheel 21 creates the second torque C2 in the direction of pivoting S2 of the lever 40. Thus, the roller 31 deviates from its position by compression or winding or unwinding of the spring 32 linked to the pivoting in the direction S2.

Thirdly, still illustrated in Figure 8, the second axis A2 of the roller 31 and the axis of rotation AR of the wheel 21 are in the same plane or substantially in the same vertical and transverse plane. The lug 37 of the tab 36 is then no longer, or substantially no longer, in contact with the edge 45 of the orifice 44. The retaining tab is then released and resumes its initial shape and/or position, for example not curved , by elastic return of the tongue. Indeed, as mentioned above, this arming or bending of the tongue 36 preferably remains in its elastic zone so that the tongue can resume its initial shape, not curved, once the contact between the lug 37 and the edge 45 is broken. .

Then, as illustrated in Figure 9, the release of the tongue and the continuation of the advance of the carriage, that is to say of the door 3, until the complete passage of the wheel 21 beyond the roller 31 allows the roller 31 to take its normal operating position. Stop 30 is then in the operating position PF. The tangency between the wheel 22 and the roller 31 forms an angle β2 with respect to the direction of movement of the carriage 20. Note that an increase in the angle β2 would have the effect of increasing the retaining force of the roller 31 against the wheel 22. Note that an angle of the same absolute value, or substantially of the same absolute value, is formed between the tangency between the wheel 21 and the roller 31 with respect to the direction of movement of the carriage in the operating position PF from halt. The diameters of the wheels 21, 22 are preferably identical or substantially identical.

This angle β2 thus performs the function of stopping the wheel 22 against the roller 31 and consequently of stopping the sliding door 3 in an open stop position. In other words, this angle performs the function of stop 30.

In this operating position PF of the stopper 30, the tab 36 is no longer armed, the lug 37 being for example within the orifice 44. Anyway the lug 37 is then arranged in a position in which it cannot, without outside help, come to cooperate with the second end 42 of the lever 40 to arm the tongue 36.

Alternatively, when mounting the stopper 30 on the rail 4, the stopper 30 is already in the retracted position, in other words the tongue 36 is armed in the PRT retaining position of the roller 31. The tongue 36 therefore holds the arm or lever 40 of the stop 30 in the retracted position opposing the first couple C1 of the spring 32. 31 and lever 40. This has the effect of releasing tab 36, thus allowing the roller 31 and lever 40 assembly to find its normal operating position PF illustrated in FIG. 9.

Preferably, to mount the sliding side door 3, the engagement of the carriage 20 takes place via the rear of the rail 4. Following the engagement of the carriage 20, the tab 36 is released by triggering when the carriage passes, particular of the wheel 21 of the carriage, which causes the passage of the stop 30 in the operating position PF. The carriage 20 finds itself blocked in the stop 30, between the wheels 21, 22 and with an effort of use or functional passage of the carriage beyond the wheels 21, 22.

Thanks to the arrangement 10 comprising the stopper 30 provided with the lever 40 with partially retractable roller 31 for the assembly phase of the sliding door, the door assembly effort is reduced and becomes acceptable for an operator. The fitting of the trolley, for example central, in its rail is greatly facilitated although the stop 30 is already installed at the level of the rail 4.

In summary, arrangement 10 is an aid to mounting a sliding door carriage, in particular a central carriage, in its guide rail and/or door support.

The solution therefore achieves the desired objective of reducing the effort required to pass through the notch or door stopper when mounting the door in its rail while allowing the door stopper to be already embedded on the rail.

Obviously, in the case of a vehicle equipped with a left sliding side door and a right sliding side door, each side can be equipped with such a solution for assembly. In addition, in the case of a rear sliding door, for example as a boot door, this solution can also be suitable to facilitate assembly.

Advantageously, several stops can be provided on the same rail, for example in order to allow several stop positions when opening the corresponding door. Possibly, in this case, all the stops of the same rail are equipped with a retractable roller.

Although it was only a question of a door stopper in order to obtain a stop position during opening, the solution may be suitable near a limit stop, for example to slow down the door. a few cm or even a few mm only from the limit stop in opening or closing. Several door stops could also be envisaged in order to form as many intermediate opening stop positions of the sliding door between its fully open and closed positions.

Claims (7)

Arrangement (10) for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle (1), comprising:
- a vehicle body (2),
- a sliding door, in particular a sliding side door (3), intended to move between a closed position and an open position and vice versa, in particular by passing through a stop position when opening the sliding door,
- a rail (4) extending along a main direction, or substantially along a main direction, arranged on the body (2), in particular a main direction extending longitudinally or substantially longitudinally,
- a carriage (20) fixed to the sliding door, the carriage (20) comprising at least one wheel (21) with an axis of rotation (AR) perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the rail (4), the at least one wheel (21) cooperating with the rail (4) so as to guide and/or support the sliding door (3) during the opening and/or closing movements of the sliding door,
- a stop (30) fixed at the level of the rail (4) cooperating with the carriage (20) so as to stop the sliding door (3), in particular to partially stop the sliding door (3) in the open stop position ,
characterized in that the stop (30) comprises a lever (40) in pivot connection at the level of a first end (41) around a first axis (A1), the lever (40) comprising a roller (31) rotatably mounted around a second axis (A2) at a second end (42) of the lever (40), the first and second axes (A1, A2) of the lever (40) and the axis of rotation ( AR) of at least one wheel (21) being parallel or substantially parallel, the stopper (30) comprising a return means, in particular a spring (32), generating a first torque (C1) tending to cause the lever to pivot (40) around the first axis (A1) in a first direction (S1) so that the roller (31) is constantly pushed towards the rail (4) and the roller (31) comes into contact with the at least one wheel (21) of the carriage (20) when the sliding door (3) is, or is substantially, in a stop position, in particular the position close to full opening, the lever (40) being able to be pivoted in a second direction (S2), opposite to the first direction (S1),
and in that the stopper (30) comprises mounting means (35) intended to counter the first torque (C1) so as to limit the effort to pass the at least one wheel (21) of the trolley (20) at the level of the roller (31) when mounting the sliding door (3) on the body (2). Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the assembly means (35) comprises a tongue (36) able to assume a retaining position (PRT) in which the tongue (36) against the first pair (C1) . Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lever (40) comprises a protrusion (43), in particular a protrusion (43) extending from the second end (42) of the lever (40), in particular a protrusion provided with an orifice (44), the protrusion (43) of the lever (40) cooperating with the tongue (36) in the retaining position (PRT). Arrangement (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tongue (36) comprises a lug (37) intended to come into abutment against the protrusion (43), in particular against at least one edge (45) of the orifice (44) of the outgrowth (43). Arrangement (10) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the tongue (36) is deformed in its elastic zone in the retaining position (PRT). Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises an arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Method of mounting a sliding door on a body (2) of a vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises:
- a step of providing a vehicle body (2) comprising a rail (4) provided with a stopper (30), a sliding door (3) provided with a carriage (20) comprising at least one wheel (21 ),
- a step of arming the assembly means (35), in particular by rotation of the lever (40) of the stopper (30) in the second direction (S2) and bending of the tongue (36) against the protrusion (43 ) so as to put the tab (36) in its retaining position (PRT), in particular by contact of the lug (37) with an edge (45) of the orifice (44) of the protrusion (43),
- a step of inserting the carriage (20) within the rail (4) until the passage of at least one wheel (21) of the carriage (20) at the level of the roller (31) of the stop (30 ), this passage causing a pivoting of the lever (40) in the second direction (S2) releasing the mounting means (35) from its retaining position (PRT), in particular by elastic return of the tongue (36).