Four-bar mechanism hinge comprising a recentering device

Abstract

The invention relates to a four-bar linkage hinge comprising a recentering device. The four-bar linkage hinge (2) comprises a fixed joint (4) and a movable joint (6). The joints are connected with two secondary links (8, 8A) by means of a pivot connection (10). The pivot connection has a rotation axis parallel to the same working axis (12). The secondary link (8A) comprises a flange (20) extending in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the working axis (12). The fixed joint (4) comprises a mechanical stop (16) which abuts against the flange (20) of the secondary link (8A) when the four-bar linkage hinge (2) is closed. The mechanical stop (16) and the flange (20) of the secondary link (8A) have a complementary form so as to fit along a radial or substantially radial direction with respect to the working axis (12) when the four-bar linkage hinge (2) is reclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims priority to French application 2103103, filed on March 26, 2021, the contents of which (text, drawings and claims) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the technical field of motor vehicles and, more specifically, four-bar linkages used for operating doors and windows of motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0003] In the field of motor vehicles, four-bar linkages are known for operating the doors and windows of motor vehicles. Advantageously, these four-bar linkages allow for greater overlap of tangents between the doors / windows and the vehicle body when the doors / windows are closed. As a result, these four-bar linkages are increasingly being used to create new aesthetics.

[0004] Four-bar linkages are more complex than scissor or gooseneck hinges commonly used in this field. A four-bar linkage consists of a fixed joint for integration with the vehicle body and a movable joint for holding doors and windows. The fixed and movable joints are connected by a secondary link. Each end of the secondary link is held at the joint by a pivoting connector whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the secondary link. This allows the joint to move along a non-circular trajectory, either deviating or approaching.

[0005] Due to the number of parts and the complexity of the hinge connections, the four-bar linkage is more flexible than hinges typically used in the automotive industry. To enhance the rigidity of the four-bar linkage, it has been proven that the four-bar linkage needs to be mechanically constrained when it is closed.

[0006] The constraint is implemented by means of a mechanical stop connected to the fixed joint, the free end of which has a flat surface and is used to abut against the flat flange of the secondary link. Despite this constraint, lateral sliding clearance has been observed between the joints when the four-bar linkage is closed.

[0007] The present invention aims to reduce this lateral sliding clearance by providing a four-bar linkage with a dedicated centering device. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the present invention provides a four-bar linkage, the four-bar linkage comprising:

[0009] - A fixed joint, said fixed joint being integrated with the body of a motor vehicle; and

[0010] - A movable joint, said movable joint for retaining doors and windows; and

[0011] - Two secondary links, the ends of which are held to the joint by means of a pivoting connector, the axis of rotation of which is parallel to the same working axis, one of the secondary links including a flange extending in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the working axis; and

[0012] - The fixed joint includes a mechanical stop that is configured to abut against the flange of the secondary link when the four-bar linkage is closed.

[0013] The invention is characterized in that the flanges of the mechanical stop and the secondary link have complementary forms so that they engage in a radial or substantially radial direction relative to the working axis when the four-bar linkage re-closes.

[0014] The engagement of the mechanical stop and the flange of the secondary link advantageously creates a new mechanical connection between the fixed joint and the secondary link. Consequently, the mechanical stiffness of the four-bar linkage increases during closing. This reduces slippage between the joints when the four-bar linkage closes.

[0015] The present invention also relates to the following embodiments:

[0016] - When the four-bar linkage is closed, at least one surface of the mechanical stop portion included in the plane radially relative to the working axis contacts at least one surface of the flange of the secondary link;

[0017] - When the four-bar linkage is closed, at least one surface of the mechanical stop portion along a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the working axis contacts at least one surface of the flange of the secondary link.

[0018] -The top of the mechanical stop has a convex shape;

[0019] - The flange of the secondary connecting rod includes a recessed portion having a form complementary to the top of the mechanical stop portion;

[0020] - The flange of the secondary connecting rod supports a pin, the pin being positioned face-to-face with the fixed joint, and the face of the pin facing the mechanical stop includes a recess, the recess having a form complementary to the top of the mechanical stop;

[0021] - The top of the mechanical stop has a concave shape;

[0022] - The flange of the secondary connecting rod includes an extension having a form complementary to the top of the mechanical stop;

[0023] - The flange of the secondary connecting rod supports a convex pin, the convex pin being positioned face-to-face with the fixed joint, and the face of the convex pin facing the mechanical stop includes a recess or a protrusion, the recess or the protrusion having a form complementary to the top of the mechanical stop.

[0024] - The mechanical stop is screwed into the fixed joint, and when the mechanical stop and the flange are engaged, the screwing axis of the mechanical stop is perpendicular to the axis, which passes through a pivoting connector including the flange and a secondary connecting rod.

[0025] Other advantages and features will be highlighted more clearly in the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The invention will be better understood by reading the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below, which are given only as non-limiting examples, in which:

[0027] - Figure 1 A side view of a four-bar linkage in the open position according to the present invention is shown.

[0028] - Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the four-bar linkage shown.

[0029] - Figure 3 A side view of a four-bar linkage in the closed position according to the present invention is shown.

[0030] - Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the four-bar linkage shown.

[0031] - Figure 5 A variation of the invention is shown where the mechanical stop and the flange of the connecting rod are engaged.

[0032] - Figure 6 Another embodiment of the invention is shown, illustrating the engagement of the mechanical stop and the flange of the secondary connecting rod.

[0033] In these figures, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Note that the present invention provides a four-bar linkage that can reduce lateral slippage between the joints of the hinge in the closed position.

[0035] Figures 1 to 4 A non-limiting embodiment of the four-bar linkage 2 according to the present invention is shown.

[0036] The four-bar linkage 2 includes a fixed joint 4 and a movable joint 6. The fixed joint is used to fix to the body of a motor vehicle (not shown). The movable joint is used to fix to a door or window (not shown). The joints are connected to each other by means of two secondary links 8, 8A. The ends of the secondary links are held to the joints by means of a pivoting connector 10. The pivoting connector 10 allows the secondary links to pivot about a rotation axis, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Figure 2 The visible working axes 12 are parallel or substantially parallel.

[0037] The fixed joint 4 includes a protruding edge 14. Edge 14 extends in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the working axis 12. An opening is provided through edge 14 to allow passage of a mechanical stop 16. According to this example, the mechanical stop includes a threaded rod, and the inner wall of the opening is tapped to precisely control the length of the free end of the threaded rod extending beyond edge 14. According to this example, the top 18 of the mechanical stop has a convex shape (more precisely, a conical shape).

[0038] The flange 20 of the secondary connecting rod 8A also extends in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the working axis 12. The flange is disposed on the secondary connecting rod and positioned facing the mechanical stop 16. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, flange 20 includes a recess 22, which is configured to be closed when the four-bar linkage is engaged (see Figure 20). Figure 3 and Figure 4 This allows the top 18 of the mechanical stop to engage.

[0039] Thus, when the four-bar linkage 2 closes again, a new mechanical connection is formed between the fixed joint and the connecting rod 8A by the overlapping of the top 18 of the mechanical stop in the recess 22 of the flange 20. The mechanical stiffness of the four-bar linkage is thus increased, and lateral sliding between the joints is minimized. In other words, the mechanical stop 16 and the flange 20 of the connecting rod 8A form a centering device during the closing of the four-bar linkage 2.

[0040] Preferably, the inner wall of the opening extends along axis 24 and forms an angle with axis 26 (which passes through the center of pivot connector 10), the angle being approximately 90°, preferably equal to 90°.

[0041] Figure 5 A variation of the invention is shown, which differs from the embodiment described above in that the flange 20 of the secondary link is not recessed. The flange 20 serves as a support for a pin 28, which remains face-to-face with the mechanical stop 16. The pin includes a recess at its top 30 position, the recess having a form complementary to the top 18 of the mechanical stop, so as to allow engagement of the top when the four-bar linkage 2 is closed.

[0042] Figure 6 An embodiment of the invention is shown, which differs from the embodiments described above in that the protruding pin 28 facing the mechanical stop 16 includes a protrusion 32 having a form complementary to the recess 34, which is provided at the top of the mechanical stop 16.

[0043] Of course, the present invention is not limited to these individual embodiments, so that the engagement of the mechanical stop with the flange of the secondary connecting rod can be implemented in other ways.

Claims

1. A four-bar linkage (2), the four-bar linkage comprising: - Fixed joint (4), the fixed joint being used to be integrated with the body of a motor vehicle; as well as - Movable joint (6), said movable joint for holding doors and windows; and - Two secondary links (8, 8A), the ends of which are held to the joint by means of a pivoting connector (10), the axis of rotation of which is parallel to the same working axis (12), one of which includes a flange (20) extending in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the working axis (12); and - The fixed joint (4) includes a mechanical stop (16) configured to abut against the flange (20) of the secondary link (8A) when the four-bar linkage (2) is closed. The mechanical stop (16) and the flange (20) of the secondary link (8A) are characterized in that they have complementary forms so that they engage in a radial or substantially radial direction relative to the working axis (12) when the four-bar linkage (2) is closed. In this configuration, the top (18) of the mechanical stop (16) has a convex shape, the flange (20) of the secondary connecting rod (8A) supports the convex pin (28), the convex pin is positioned face-to-face with the fixed joint, and the face of the convex pin facing the mechanical stop (16) includes a recess (30), the recess having a form complementary to the top (18) of the mechanical stop (16); or, the top (18) of the mechanical stop (16) has a concave shape, the flange (20) of the secondary connecting rod supports the convex pin, the convex pin is positioned face-to-face with the fixed joint (4), and the face of the convex pin facing the mechanical stop (16) includes a protrusion (32), the protrusion having a form complementary to the top (18) of the mechanical stop (16).

2. The four-bar linkage (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the four-bar linkage (2) is closed, at least one surface of the mechanical stop (16) in the plane radially relative to the working axis (12) contacts at least one surface of the flange (20) of the secondary link (8A).

3. The four-bar linkage (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When the four-bar linkage (2) is closed, at least one surface of the mechanical stop (16) along a plane parallel to the working axis (12) contacts at least one surface of the flange (20) of the secondary link.

4. The four-bar linkage (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The mechanical stop (16) is screwed into the fixed joint (4), and when the mechanical stop (16) and the flange (20) are engaged, the screw axis (24) of the mechanical stop (16) is perpendicular to the axis (26), which passes through the pivot connector (10) of the secondary connecting rod (8A) including the flange (20).

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