DEFORMABLE PANTOGRAPH HINGE, FOR A LAND VEHICLE FRONT HOOD

Abstract

A hinge (CC), of the pantograph type, comprises: - a fixing lug (PF) fixedly installed in a front space of a land vehicle, and fixedly secured to a first arm (B1) provided with a support lug (PA), and - a second arm (B2) coupled in rotation to the first arm (B1), fixedly secured to an internal face of a front hood, and provided with a support lug (PS) onto which is screwed an adjustment screw (VR) having a part (TV) resting on the support lug (PA), and comprising at least one weakening zone (ZA1-ZA2) allowing its deformation and a deformation of the hinge (CC) capable of promoting the sinking of the front hood during an impact of a person in an area located near the hinge (CC). Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: DEFORMABLE PANTOGRAPH HINGE, FOR A FRONT HOOD OF A LAND VEHICLE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to land vehicles comprising a front space with access controlled by a front hood, and more precisely to the hinges which are secured to such front hoods in order to allow them to be opened / closed. State of the art

[0002] Certain land vehicles, generally of the automobile type, include a front space (such as for example an engine compartment) whose access is controlled by a front hood having an opening / closing kinematics defined by two hinges, right and left.

[0003] In order to avoid an additional cutting line between the front hood and each neighboring wing, pantograph-type hinges are frequently used, particularly because their opening / closing kinematics offer more degrees of freedom for styling.

[0004] A pantograph-type hinge includes in particular:

[0005] - a fixing lug suitable for being fixedly installed in the front space of a land vehicle, and fixedly attached to a first arm fitted with a support leg, and

[0006] - a second arm coupled in rotation to this first arm, suitable for being fixedly secured to an internal face of a front hood of the land vehicle, and provided with a support tab onto which is screwed an adjustment screw (preloading) having a part resting on this support tab.

[0007] This adjustment screw allows the angle of the front hood to be adjusted in elevation, and the vertical clearance of the front hood with the neighboring wing.

[0008] Due to this particular arrangement of the pantograph-type hinges, when a person hits (for example with his head) an area of ​​this front hood located near a hinge, the depression of the front hood is very limited because the support of the adjustment screw on the fixed support tab prevents downward movement of the second arm and therefore significant deformation (or significant movement) of its hinge. However, such a limitation of depression of the front hood induces local stiffness which can cause significant bodily injury to the person who collides with the front hood.

[0009] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0010] For this purpose, it proposes in particular a pantograph-type hinge comprising:

[0011] - a fixing lug suitable for being fixedly installed in a front space of a land vehicle, and fixedly attached to a first arm fitted with a support leg, and

[0012] - a second arm coupled in rotation to this fixing lug, suitable for being secured fixed to an internal face of a front hood of the land vehicle, and provided with a support tab onto which is screwed an adjustment screw having a part bearing on this support tab.

[0013] This hinge is characterized by the fact that the support tab comprises at least one weakening zone allowing its deformation and a deformation of the hinge capable of promoting a sinking of the front hood during an impact of a person in an area of ​​this front hood located near the hinge.

[0014] Thus, when the front hood CV is subjected to the impact of a person, it exerts pressure on the second arm which causes a deformation of the hinge permitted by the new capacity to deform of the support tab, which makes it possible to significantly increase the depression of the front hood and is therefore likely to reduce the risk of significant bodily injury to the person who collides with the front hood.

[0015] The hinge according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0016] - each weakening zone can be defined in a sub-part of the leg of support which ensures a connection of the latter to the second arm;

[0017] - the support leg may comprise two weakening zones defined according to the same direction parallel to a general direction in which the second arm extends;

[0018] - each weakening zone can be arranged in the form of a notch plugging on one edge of the support leg;

[0019] - in the presence of the last option, each notch can have a length, depending on the direction which is parallel to the general direction, between 2 mm and 5 mm;

[0020] - also in the presence of the last option, each notch can have a width, perpendicular to the direction which is parallel to the general direction, between 1 mm and 3 mm;

[0021] - it can comprise, on the one hand, a third arm comprising a first end rotatably mounted on the first arm at a first location and a second end rotatably mounted on the second arm at a second location, and, on the other part, a fourth arm having a first end rotatably mounted on the first arm at a third location distant from the first location and a second end rotatably mounted on the second arm at a fourth location distant from the second location;

[0022] - the part of the adjustment screw (which rests on the support lug) can constitute a head of the latter.

[0023] The invention also proposes a land vehicle comprising, on the one hand, a front space with access controlled by a front hood, and, on the other hand, at least one hinge of the type presented above, installed in the front space and fixedly secured to the front hood. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the attached drawings (obtained in CAD / CAM (“Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Drawing”)), in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a transverse plane and vertical, a part of an example of an engine compartment of a motor vehicle whose access is controlled by a front hood associated with examples of hinges according to the invention, before an impact suffered by the front hood,

[0026] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates, in a sectional view in a transverse and vertical plane, the part of the engine compartment of [Fig.l], after an impact suffered by the front hood near the right hinge,

[0027] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates, in a side perspective view, an exemplary embodiment of a hinge according to the invention, before its installation in a land vehicle, and

[0028] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates, in a side perspective view, the support tab of the first arm of the hinge of [Fig.3]. Detailed description of the invention

[0029] The invention aims in particular to propose a pantograph-type hinge CC, intended to allow the opening / closing of a front hood CV of a land vehicle V, and capable of being deformed in the event of an impact suffered by this front hood CV near the place where it is installed.

[0030] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the land vehicle V is of the automobile type. It is for example a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of land vehicle. It in fact relates to any land vehicle comprising a front space with access controlled by a front hood.

[0031] In Figures 1 to 4, the direction X is the longitudinal direction of the (land) vehicle V, which is substantially parallel to the lateral (or longitudinal) sides comprising the side doors, the Y direction is the transverse direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and the Z direction is the vertical direction of the vehicle V, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal directions X and transverse directions Y.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate part of an example of a front space EV of a land vehicle V (here of the automobile type) whose access is controlled by a front hood CV associated with two hinges CC according to the invention. It will be noted that only the right hinge CC is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, but that the front space EV also comprises a left hinge CC symmetrical to the right hinge (illustrated in Figures 1 to 3).

[0033] It will also be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, the front space EV is the engine compartment of the vehicle V. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the engine compartment could be located in the rear part of the vehicle V.

[0034] As illustrated at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, a hinge CC according to the invention is of the pantograph type and comprises at least one fixing lug PF, a first arm B1, a support lug PA, a second arm B2 and a support lug PS.

[0035] The fixing lug PF is suitable for being fixedly installed in the front space EV of a vehicle V. For example, it can be screwed onto a sub-part of a structural part of the vehicle V. In addition, this fixing lug PF is fixedly secured to the first arm B1 which is provided with the support lug PA. Preferably, the first arm B1 and the fixing lug PF constitute a single piece. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the fixing lug PF could be fixedly attached to the first arm B1.

[0036] The second arm B2 is rotatably coupled to the first arm B1 and is suitable for being fixedly secured to the internal face of the front hood CV of the vehicle V, for example by screwing. In addition, this second arm B2 is provided with the support lug PS onto which is screwed an adjustment screw (preload) VR. The latter (VR) comprises a part TV which rests on the support lug PA. It will be understood that, given that the support lug PA is fixed relative to the vehicle V, by screwing / unscrewing the adjustment screw VR it is possible to define the space separating the support lug PS from the support lug PA and therefore the height (along the vertical direction Z) of the second arm B2 relative to the first arm B1, which makes it possible to adjust the angle of the front hood CV (fixedly secured to the second arm B2) in elevation, and the vertical clearance of the front hood CV with the neighboring wing.

[0037] Preferably, the second arm B2 and the support leg PS constitute a single piece. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the support leg PS could be fixedly attached to the second arm B2.

[0038] As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the support tab PS comprises at least one weakening zone ZAj which allows its deformation and a deformation of the hinge CC which is capable of promoting the sinking of the front hood CV during an impact of a person in an area of ​​the latter (CV) located near the hinge CC.

[0039] An example of deformation of the hinge CC, made possible by the deformation of the support tab PS following the impact of a person's head on the front hood CV near the right hinge CC, is illustrated in [Fig. 2]. It will be understood that the front hood CV being fixedly secured to the second arm B2, when it undergoes the impact of the head it (CV) exerts pressure on the second arm B2, which causes a deformation of the hinge CC (by tilting towards the inside of the front space EV) permitted by the new capacity to deform (of the bending type) of the support tab PS. This tilt makes it possible to significantly increase the depression of the front hood CV and therefore to locally reduce the stiffness of the latter (CV), which is likely to reduce the risk of significant bodily injury to the person who collides with the front hood CV.

[0040] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 3 and 4, each weakening zone ZAj can be defined in a sub-part SP of the support leg PS which ensures the connection of the latter (PS) to the second arm B2. But this is not an obligation. Indeed, each weakening zone ZAj could be defined a little after this connection sub-part SP.

[0041] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 3 and 4, the support lug PS may comprise two weakening zones ZA1 (j = 1) and ZA2 (j = 2) which are defined in the same direction parallel to the general direction in which the second arm B2 extends. It will be noted that in the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 3 and 4 the general direction of extension of the second arm B2 is the longitudinal direction X. Consequently, the weakening zones ZA1 are defined in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction X. But the weakening zones ZAj could be defined in a direction having a component parallel to the longitudinal direction X and another component parallel to the transverse direction Y. Furthermore, it would be possible to provide only a single weakening zone ZAj or more than two weakening zones ZAj.

[0042] It will also be noted that the number and arrangement of the weakening zones ZAj can be chosen as a function of the minimum deformation force capable of causing the deformation of the support leg PS.

[0043] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 3 and 4, each weakening zone ZAj can be arranged in the form of a notch which opens onto an edge of the PS support leg.

[0044] Also for example, each notch ZAj may have a length, in the direction parallel to the general direction (and therefore here in the longitudinal direction X), which is between 2 mm and 5 mm. For example, the length of each notch ZAj may be equal to 3 mm. But other length values ​​may be envisaged for each notch ZAj. The choice of this length may be made in a development or testing phase of a vehicle similar to the vehicle V.

[0045] Also for example, each notch ZAj may have a width, perpendicular to the direction parallel to the general direction (and therefore here following the transverse direction Y), which is between 1 mm and 3 mm. For example, the width of each notch ZAj may be equal to 2 mm. But other width values ​​may be envisaged for each notch ZAj. The choice of this width may be made in a development or testing phase of a vehicle similar to the vehicle V.

[0046] But other types of weakening zone ZAj can be envisaged. Thus, a weakening zone ZAj could be produced by local thinning of the support leg PS or by creating a series of through holes, for example.

[0047] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly and at least partially in Figures 1 to 3, the hinge CC may also comprise third B3 and fourth arms B4 participating in the definition of the pantograph and ensuring the rotational coupling of the second arm B2 to the first arm B1. The third arm B3 comprises a first end E13 which is rotatably mounted on the first arm B1 at a first location, and a second end E23 which is rotatably mounted on the second arm B2 at a second location. The fourth arm B4 comprises a first end E14 which is rotatably mounted on the first arm B1 at a third location distant from the first location, and a second end E24 which is rotatably mounted on the second arm B2 at a fourth location distant from the second location.It will be understood that the respective lengths of the third B3 and fourth B4 arms and the respective positions of the rotational anchor points of the third B3 and fourth B4 arms on the first B1 and second B2 arms make it possible to define the opening / closing kinematics of the front hood CV.

[0048] Also for example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 to 4, the TV part of the adjustment screw VR (which rests on the support tab) can constitute the head of the latter (VR). This makes it possible to increase the support surface of the adjustment screw VR on the support tab PA, and thus to promote the deformation of the support tab PS in the event of an impact.

Claims

Claims

1. Pantograph-type hinge (CC) comprising i) a fixing lug (PF) suitable for being fixedly installed in a front space (EV) of a land vehicle (V), and fixedly secured to a first arm (Bl) provided with a support lug (PA), and ii) a second arm (B2) rotatably coupled to said first arm (Bl), suitable for being fixedly secured to an internal face of a front hood (CV) of said land vehicle (V), and provided with a support lug (PS) onto which is screwed an adjustment screw (VR) having a part (TV) bearing on said support lug (PA), characterized in that said support lug (PS) comprises at least one weakening zone (ZAj) allowing its deformation and a deformation of said hinge (CC) suitable for promoting a sinking of said front hood (CV) during an impact of a person in an area of ​​the latter (CV) located near said hinge (CC).

2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that each weakening zone (ZAj) is defined in a sub-part (SP) of said support tab (PS) ensuring a connection of the latter (PS) to said second arm (B2).

3. Hinge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said support tab (PS) comprises two weakening zones (ZAj) defined in the same direction parallel to a general direction in which said second arm (B2) extends.

4. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each weakening zone (ZAj) is arranged in the form of a notch opening onto an edge of said support tab (PS).

5. Hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that each notch (ZAj) has a length, in said direction parallel to said general direction, of between 2 mm and 5 mm.

6. Hinge according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each notch (ZAj) has a width, perpendicular to said direction parallel to said general direction, of between 1 mm and 3 mm.

7. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises i) a third arm (B3) comprising a first end (El3) rotatably mounted on said first arm (B1) at a first location and a second end (E23) rotatably mounted on said second arm (B2) at a second location, and ii) a fourth arm (B4) comprising a first end (El4) rotatably mounted on said first arm (B 1) at a third location distant from said first location and a second end (E24) rotatably mounted on said second arm (B2) at a fourth location distant from said second location.

8. Hinge according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said part (TV) of the adjustment screw (VR) constitutes a head of the latter (VR).

9. Land vehicle (V) comprising a front space (EV) with access controlled by a front hood (CV), characterized in that it comprises at least one hinge (CC) according to one of claims 1 to 8, installed in said front space (EV) and fixedly secured to said front hood (CV).

10. Land vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it is of the automobile type.

Images