DEVICE FOR SEALING AN OPENING INCLUDED IN THE BODY OF A VEHICLE AND CORRESPONDING VEHICLE

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of bay equipment, used in particular in motor vehicles.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to devices for closing an opening made in a structural element, for example in the body of a vehicle, or in a vehicle door, and comprising a sliding movable part capable of opening or closing an opening while offering a flush appearance, seen from the outside.

[0003] The invention can in particular equip different types of structures, such as caravans, motorhomes, coaches and buses, minibuses, trucks, vans, boats, etc.

[0004] Such devices, developed over several years by the holder of this application, are notably known under the term "flush bay".

[0005] In other words, these devices are designed so that, viewed from the outside, they present a flush or almost flush appearance between the bodywork, or more generally the wall or structure, and the fixed panel of the device. Previous art

[0006] The general principle of this technique is described in particular in patent documents EP-0 778 168 and EP-0 857 844, or FR 2 910 519.

[0007] The shuttering device (hereafter referred to as "flush bay") comprises a fixed part and a movable part relative to this fixed part, or sliding panel.

[0008] The moving part is connected to the fixed assembly by functional elements which ensure the required mobility and which are attached to the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0009] These functional elements, or rails, guide and support the movable panel. They are positioned on the inward-facing side of the vehicle, far enough from the edges, or periphery, of the fixed section so that this periphery can be directly attached to the edges of the bay without the rails interfering. This eliminates the need for a connecting frame between the edges of the bay and the fixed section.

[0010] This fixed part can be made of one or more elements (placed side by side in the same plane), for example of glass or polycarbonate.

[0011] Such a flush bay can thus be mounted entirely independently of the vehicle, and brought in, from the outside, into the housing defined for this purpose by the bay, or the housing defined in the bodywork, or more generally in the wall.

[0012] The edges of the fixed part are secured, for example with a bead of glue, to the edges of the bay, without any other intermediate connecting element.

[0013] From an aesthetic point of view, the flush bay window has a smooth, flush appearance when viewed from the outside, because no frame is needed around the opening formed in the fixed assembly.

[0014] To ensure the movement of the moving part, generally consisting of a transparent panel, a guide device is therefore provided comprising a first and a second guide rails mounted fixed on the fixed part (or fixed structure) of the bay, on either side of the opening closed by the moving panel.

[0015] The movable panel is mounted on the rails, to slide for example in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) opening position and a closing position, in which it closes the opening.

[0016] To maximize the flush appearance, it has been proposed that, in the closed position, the movable panel should be in the plane of the fixed part, moving from an intermediate clearance position, in the sliding plane, opposite the opening and clear of it to the closed position.

[0017] It should be noted that the term "plane" should be understood here in a broader sense: the plane formed by the bay is sometimes curved, in one or even two directions to adapt to the shape of the structure (this also justifies, in some cases, the term "substantially" used in the description and claims).

[0018] The movable panel can be moved manually or with the aid of an electric motor. In the latter case, actuation means act on the movable panel to move it between a closed position and at least one open position. These actuation means may take the form of a cable (called a push-pull cable) connected to the electric motor to pull or push the movable panel. The actuation means may also take the form of a rack and pinion or cables similar to those used on bicycle cables.

[0019] To facilitate the opening and closing of the movable panel, a known technique involves implementing, within each of the guide rails, a shuttle guided in translation within the rail, as described, for example, in patent document WO2010 / 146185. Each shuttle controls the movement of the movable panel, firstly to disengage it from or insert it into the opening in the fixed panel (Y-axis), and secondly to guide it in sliding motion (X-axis). Such a shuttle may comprise two guide tracks adapted to cooperate respectively with two fixed pins carried by the movable panel, or vice versa.

[0020] The cooperation of the guide tracks with the fixed pins makes it possible to obtain an offset, classically a weaving, of the moving panel so as to move the lateral edges of the moving panel relative to the fixed part.

[0021] As mentioned above, the window frame is assembled before being fixed in the opening in the structure. Generally, the window frame is fixed to the structure using adhesive.

[0022] One drawback of this technique is that its dismantling is consequently quite complex. Indeed, to remove the bay from the structure, for example to work on a shuttle or replace the movable panel, it is necessary to completely cut / section / remove / scrape away the adhesive holding the bay in place against the structure. It is also necessary to remove all the trim to allow for the complete removal of the bay. Once the work has been carried out, the entire assembly must be reinstalled, with a new adhesive seal.

[0023] These operations are complex, time-consuming and can subsequently lead to defects, particularly aesthetic ones, on the receiving structure and / or on the bay.

[0024] As a result, maintenance operations on the bay are made very difficult since a complete removal of the bay is necessary regardless of the technical problem encountered (for example in the case of a broken glass on the moving panel, a problem with a return spring or with a drive or synchronization cable, etc.).

[0025] Therefore, there is a need to provide a bay closure device to facilitate and optimize bay maintenance operations after fixing to the structure.

[0026] However, the technical solution must not induce harmful and undesirable effects that could degrade the efficiency and reliability of current bays. Summary of the invention

[0027] The technique of the invention makes it possible to resolve at least some of the drawbacks raised by the prior art. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for closing an opening in a structure, comprising a fixed part, in which an opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel guided along two guide rails mounted on one face of said fixed panel, between a closed position, closing said opening, in a first plane defined by said fixed panel, called the closing plane, and at least one open position, in a second plane, called the sliding plane, substantially parallel to said closing plane.Each of said guide rails carries at least one shuttle guided in translation in said rail, movable in translation in said guide rails, and ensures the passage of the movable panel from said closing position to said at least one sliding position, and vice versa, and the sliding movement of said movable panel in said closing plane.

[0028] According to the invention, at least one of said guide rails carries a removable guide element of length at least equal to the length of said shuttle, allowing, when removed, said shuttle to be freed from said guide rail.

[0029] In this way, a section of one of the guide rails can be moved and / or removed to allow translational movement of the shuttle along the Y-axis (perpendicular to the X-axis of movement). This degree of freedom allows the corresponding shuttle to be released / removed from the guide rail without affecting the fixed part. Thus, it is possible to completely disassemble the moving subassembly, comprising the moving panel and a guide shuttle, from the fixed subassembly, comprising the fixed part and the guide rails, which remains attached to the structure.

[0030] The invention thus facilitates maintenance operations on the sealing device without requiring its complete removal from the structure in which it is mounted. In other words, it is possible to leave the fixed sub-assembly attached to the structure during maintenance operations that do not require its removal, which is not the case with prior art techniques.

[0031] According to the invention, said removable guide element is movable in a direction parallel to said guide rail, between a position of attachment to the rail and a release position.

[0032] According to the invention, in said release position, said removable guide element is movable in at least one direction perpendicular to said guide rail, so as to be separated from it.

[0033] Therefore, to remove / separate the removable guide element from the guide rail, it is first necessary to move it in a direction parallel to the guide rail (along the X-axis) and then in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail (along the Y-axis). Other assembly / disassembly sequences, such as X then Z, are of course possible. These two successive movements allow the removable guide element to be released. This double movement also prevents any unwanted or accidental removal of the removable guide element.

[0034] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said guide rail, or said removable guide element, carries at least one hook capable of being secured to a corresponding housing formed in said removable guide element, or said rail, in said securement position.

[0035] Such methods of securing the removable guide element to the guide rail are very simple to implement, inexpensive, and reliable. These securing methods provide a simple technical solution for achieving the dual release movement along the X-axis and then the Y-axis. Other retaining solutions, such as a screw or any other suitable connecting element, can be used.

[0036] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the closing device comprises at least two similar hooks, distributed along an axis parallel to the axis of said guide rail.

[0037] Thus, the guidance and retention of the removable guide element relative to the guide rail is optimized.

[0038] According to yet another particular aspect of the invention, said guide rail has a guide groove for said removable guide element along said rail.

[0039] Such a groove ensures optimal guidance of the removable guide element along the X axis when moving from the locking position to the release position, and vice versa.

[0040] According to another particular aspect of the invention, said removable guide element has a second portion for holding and / or guiding said shuttle, extending a first portion for holding and / or guiding formed in said guide rail.

[0041] The removable guide element therefore has a shape corresponding to the guide rail to ensure optimal guidance of the upper shuttle (i.e. without additional friction, without jerking, etc.).

[0042] According to yet another particular aspect of the invention, said removable guide element has an end portion intended to be in butt with a trim element of a vehicle.

[0043] This end section helps to form a "wall" against the passage of light.

[0044] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one sealing device as described above. List of Figures

[0045] The invention, and its various advantages, will be more easily understood in light of the following description of an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, and the accompanying drawings, among which: [ Fig 1 ] illustrates an example of a flush-mounting, or bay window, shutter device; [ Fig 2 ] illustrates the moving subassembly of the shutter device of the figure 1 ; Fig 3 ] illustrates an overview, in perspective, of a shuttering device according to the invention; [ Fig 4 ] illustrates a partially exploded view of the shutter device of the figure 3 ; Fig 5] illustrates a detailed view showing the removable guide element mounted on the guide rail of the shutter device figure 3 ; Fig 6 ] illustrates a detailed view showing the guide rail after removal of the removable guide element of the figure 5 . Detailed description of the invention

[0046] We then illustrate one embodiment of the invention, treated as a simple illustrative example, and not as a limiting one, in support of the figures 1 to 6 . General operation of the bay

[0047] There figure 1 illustrates a flush bay window with a sliding movable panel as seen from inside the vehicle.

[0048] Such a flush bay 1 is in the form of an assembly, or shutter device, ready to be placed in a bay (i.e., an opening, or "hole") provided in the bodywork 10 (side wall, for example) or a door, or more generally in the structure of a vehicle (or a caravan or motorhome, for example), or more generally in a wall intended to receive a shutter device equipped with an opening. To simplify understanding of the invention, the bodywork 10, also called the structure, which is well known in the prior art, is schematically represented by dashed lines.

[0049] Such a shuttering device includes a fixed part 110, i.e. remaining immobile relative to the structure 10 which receives it, and a sliding movable panel, or sliding panel, 120, movable relative to the fixed part 110.

[0050] The fixed part 110, also called the fixed panel, can be made of glass or polycarbonate, in one or more elements.

[0051] The fixed part 110 has an opening that is closed by the movable panel 120 in the position of the figure 1 and extending in the same plane as the fixed part 110.

[0052] This movable panel 120 includes, in particular, a glazed portion 122 and a frame 121, as illustrated on the figure 2 .

[0053] Guide rails, respectively an upper rail 111a and a lower rail 111b, are attached, for example by gluing, to the face of the fixed part 110 facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0054] The fixed part 110 and the rails 111a, 111b form a fixed sub-assembly 11 of the shutter device 1.

[0055] It is noted that these rails are far from the contour of the fixed part 110, and do not participate in, nor harm, the securing of the latter to the edge of the bay.

[0056] The rails 111a and 111b, which are substantially parallel in this example, hold and guide the sliding movement of the movable panel 120, which has a frame 121 attached to the rails 111a, 111b.

[0057] The movable panel 120 can be moved along the rails 111a, 111b, in a sliding plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by the fixed part 110.

[0058] The movable panel 120 can completely close the opening of the fixed part 110 ( figure 1 ) or partially or totally free this opening (not shown).

[0059] Thus, the movable panel 120 can take one or more opening positions, depending on its position relative to the rails 111a, 111b.

[0060] Furthermore, the movable panel 120 can move perpendicularly to the plane defined by the fixed part 110, so as to close the opening, in a closed position ( figure 1 ), in which it is flush with this fixed part 110, so as to offer a flush assembly (bodywork 10, fixed part 11 and moving part 12).

[0061] The face of the fixed part 110, which is turned towards the interior of the vehicle, also has a sealing gasket (not shown) bonded to the edge of the opening. The end of the gasket's lip bears against the movable panel 120 when the latter is in the closed position. In an alternative version, the sealing gasket can be mounted on the frame 121 of the movable panel 12, so as to come into contact with the fixed part 110.

[0062] The upper rail 111a carries an upper shuttle 123a and the lower rail 111b carries a lower shuttle 123b, each of the shuttles carrying two grooves (not shown), or tracks, located in the vicinity respectively of each lateral edge of the movable panel 120 and cooperating with a front and rear pin (not shown) attached to an edge of the movable panel 120.

[0063] Each shuttle 123a, 123b is thus guided in sliding motion in a rail 111a, 111b, along an axis parallel to the X axis, that is to say the axis corresponding to the length of the vehicle.

[0064] The rails are therefore suitable for receiving the shuttles so that the latter can slide longitudinally in the rails along the X axis. Thus, the rails are simple and inexpensive to manufacture, since they provide guidance along a single axis, the shuttles taking care of the movement along the Y axis.

[0065] The tracks provided in the shuttles 123a, 123b allow, during the movement of the shuttles, to drive the mobile panel and allow its movement, along the X and Y axes, between the closed position and the open position(s).

[0066] The movable panel 120 and the shuttles 123a, 123b form a movable subset 12 of the shutter device 1.

[0067] The various movements of the mobile panel 120 are controlled from means of moving the shuttles 2, 3 inside the guide rails 111a, 111b.

[0068] The movement of the lower shuttle 123b along the lower guide rail 111b is ensured by means of a control cable, or drive cable, 13 of the "push pull" type, itself driven by motorized means controlled by a user.

[0069] More specifically, the drive cable 13 is intended either to push on the lower shuttle 123b (in the direction of the X axis, i.e. towards the rear of the vehicle) to move the movable panel 120 from its closed position to one of the open positions, or to pull the lower shuttle 123b (in a direction opposite to the X axis, i.e. towards the front of the vehicle) to move the movable panel 120 from an open position to its closed position.

[0070] The drive cable 13 is, in this example, pushed or pulled by a motor (not shown). Description of an example of a removable guide element according to the invention

[0071] THE figures 3 And 6 illustrate a sealing device according to the invention in which at least one of the guide rails is provided with a removable guide element.

[0072] There figure 3illustrates the shutter device 1 of the invention in a conventional operating position, corresponding to a fully mounted position / state of the shutter device 1 in the opening provided in the bodywork 10.

[0073] There figure 4 illustrates the shutter device 1 of the invention in a disassembled position / state, in which a removable guide element 112 is disassembled / removed so as to release the movable subassembly 12.

[0074] In this example, the upper rail 111a carries the removable guide element 112. This removable guide element 112 forms part of the rail 111a and is suitable, when mounted / fixed on the rail 111a, for guiding the upper shuttle 123a.

[0075] The removable guide element 112 is therefore suitable, on the one hand, for guiding the upper shuttle 123a when mounted on the upper rail 111a (fixing position) and, on the other hand, for freeing up sufficient space to allow the upper shuttle 123a to be removed from the upper guide rail 111a when it is removed from the upper guide rail 111a.

[0076] The removable guide element 112 therefore has a shape corresponding to the profile of the upper rail 111a to allow the guidance of the shuttle 123a. It also has a length L at least equal to the length L' of the upper shuttle 123a so that the shuttle 123a can be disengaged / removed from the upper rail 111a, by a movement along the Y axis when the removable guide element 112 is removed.

[0077] Indeed, removing / dismantling the removable guide element 112 allows the upper shuttle 123a to be moved along the Y-axis so as to disengage / detach the upper shuttle 123a from the guide rail 111a. Removing the removable guide element 112 therefore frees up one degree of freedom (in translation) along the Y-axis for the upper shuttle 123a.

[0078] There figure 5 illustrates in detail the removable guide element 112 when mounted on the upper guide rail 111a, corresponding to the position of securing the removable guide element 112.

[0079] There figure 6 illustrates in detail the receiving portion 111c of the upper guide rail 111a suitable for receiving the removable guide element 112. In this figure, the removable guide element 112 is separated / removed from the upper guide rail 111a and is therefore not shown.

[0080] In the position of solidarity illustrated on the figure 5, the removable guide element 112 and the receiving portion 111c together form an extension of the upper guide rail 111a so as to ensure optimal guidance of the upper shuttle 123a.

[0081] The removable guide element 112 therefore has a shape corresponding to the upper guide rail 111a to ensure optimal guidance of the upper shuttle 123a. To achieve this, the removable guide element 112 has a second retaining and / or guiding portion for the upper shuttle 123a, extending a first retaining and / or guiding portion formed in the upper guide rail 111a.

[0082] As illustrated on the figure 6In this example, the receiving portion 111c of the guide rail 111a has three fastening hooks 114. The receiving portion 111c must have at least one hook. The use of three hooks 114 ensures effective and reliable fastening of the removable guide element 112.

[0083] The hooks 114 are all similar and are distributed substantially regularly on the edge of the receiving portion 111c along an axis parallel to the axis of the upper guide rail 111a (along the X axis).

[0084] The hooks 114 have a first section extending from the edge of the receiving portion 111c towards the interior of the vehicle and a second section, extending the first section, extending towards the rear of the vehicle, i.e. along an axis parallel to the upper guide rail 111a (along the X axis).

[0085] Each hook 114 is intended to cooperate / to join with a respective housing (not shown) carried by the removable guide element 112.

[0086] It is clearly understood that the hooks could be carried by the removable guide element and that the housings could be provided on the guide rail, without deviating from the general principle of the invention.

[0087] Thus, to remove the removable guide element 112, it is necessary to move it in a direction parallel to the upper guide rail 111a (here towards the rear of the vehicle or along the X-axis). This initial movement allows the removable guide element 112 to be moved between a locking position (illustrated on the figure 5 ) and a position of liberation (not illustrated).

[0088] The second section of the hooks preferably has a relatively small length so that the movement along the direction parallel to the guide rail (along the X axis) for the passage from the locking position to the release position is short in order to take into account the limited space separating the end of the guide rail and the edges of the closing device 1.

[0089] In the release position, the removable guide element 112 is then free to be moved in at least one direction perpendicular to the upper guide rail 111a, i.e. the removable guide element 112 can be moved along the Y axis so as to be removed / separated from the guide rail 111a.

[0090] As illustrated on the figure 6The receiving portion 111c has a guide groove 113 extending along an axis parallel to the upper guide rail 111a (i.e., along the X axis). This guide groove 113 is intended to guide the movement of the removable guide element 112 along the rail 111a during its movement along the X axis, i.e., during the transition from the locked position to the released position, and vice versa.

[0091] When the removable guide element 112 is removed / separated from the guide rail 111a, the shuttle 123a, 123b can then be easily removed from the guide rail by a translational movement along the Y-axis. Thus, the movable subassembly 12 can be detached from the fixed subassembly 11 to facilitate maintenance operations on the shutter device 1. Other aspects and variations

[0092] In the embodiment described above, the removable guide element 112 is mounted on the upper guide rail 111a. It is understood that the removable guide element 112 could also be mounted on the lower guide rail 111b. Furthermore, it could be mounted on both the upper guide rail 111a and the lower guide rail 111b to further facilitate the separation / disassembly of the fixed and moving subassemblies from each other.

[0093] In the embodiment described above, the means for attaching the removable guide element to the guide rail take the form of hooks and corresponding housings. It is understood that other attachment methods can be considered without departing from the general principle of the invention, which aims to equip at least one guide rail with a removable element so as to allow the shuttle to be withdrawn from the guide rail.

[0094] In one particular aspect, retaining means (not illustrated) are used to hold the removable guide element in its fixed position. These retaining means take the form, for example, of clips or retaining screws.

[0095] In an alternative design not shown, the removable guide element could not be completely separated from the guide rail. For example, the removable guide element could pivot relative to the guide rail, thus forming a pivoting cover.

[0096] The removable guide element 112 is, for example, made of plastic to reduce its manufacturing cost. Preferably, the removable guide element 112 is made of the same material as the guide rail 111a, 111b so as to ensure movement at least as efficient in the removable guide element as in the guide rail. The removable guide element 112 should also have an aesthetic appearance equivalent to the guide rail 111a, 111b on which it is mounted.

[0097] In another, unillustrated variant, the removable guide element has, opposite the guide rail, an end portion designed to abut (i.e., to make contact / butt against) a trim element of the vehicle. This abutment portion, formed by a protrusion or continuation of the rail (continuity of the Z-shaped support rib), also serves as a barrier against the passage of light.

[0098] The embodiment described above applies to a side wall of a motor vehicle. The invention can be applied in the same way to other structures having a wall in which an opening is defined, such as, for example, a caravan or a motorhome.

[0099] In particular, the bay can be formed in a side wall of the vehicle (for example for utility vehicles, minivans, station wagons...), in a wall facing the rear of the vehicle (for example for "pick-up trucks"), or even in a door.

[0100] It can also be a partition bay for a vehicle.

Claims

1. A closing device (1) for closing an aperture formed in a structure, including a fixed part (110) in which an opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel (120) that is guided along two guide rails (111a, 111b) mounted on a face of said fixed panel (110), between a closed position, which closes said opening, in a first plane defined by said fixed panel (110), called the closing plane, and at least one open position, in a second plane, called the sliding plane, substantially parallel to said closing plane, wherein each of said guide rails (111a, 111b) has at least one shuttle (123a, 123b), which is guided in translation in said rail (111a, 111b), movable in translation in said guide rails (111a, 111b), and which ensures the passage of the movable panel (120) from said closing position to said at least one sliding position, and vice versa, and the sliding movement of said movable panel (120) in said closing plane, characterized in that at least one of said guide rails (111a, 111b) has a detachable guide element (112) of a length (L) at least equal to the length (L') of said shuttle (123a, 123b), which allows, when removed, said shuttle (123a, 123b) to be extracted from said guide rail (111a, 111b), and in that said detachable guide element (112) is movable in a direction parallel to said guide rail (111a, 111b), between a coupling position for coupling with the rail and a release position, and in said release position, said detachable guide element (112) is movable in at least one direction perpendicular to said guide rail (111a, 111b), so as to be separated from the same.

2. A closing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide rail (111a, 111b), or said detachable guide element (112), has at least one hook (114) capable of coupling with a corresponding recess formed in said detachable guide element (112), or in said rail (111a, 111b), in said coupling position.

3. A closing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes at least two similar hooks (114), distributed along an axis parallel to the axis of said guide rail (111a, 111b).

4. A closing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide rail (111a, 111b) has a guiding groove (113) for guiding said detachable guide element (112) along said rail.

5. A closing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detachable guide element (112) has a second supporting and / or guiding portion for supporting and / or guiding said shuttle, which extends a first supporting and / or guiding portion formed in said guide rail (111a, 111b).

6. A closing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said detachable guide element (112) has an end portion intended to fit against a trim element of a vehicle.

7. A motor vehicle including at least one closing device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6.