Device for closing off an aperture in the body of a vehicle, and corresponding vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for closing off an opening in a stationary portion (110), and at least one sliding movable panel (120) guided along two guide rails (111a, 111b) mounted on one face of the stationary panel (110), between a closed position in a first plane defined by said stationary panel (110), and at least one open position in a second plane, substantially parallel to the first plane. Each of the guide rails (111a, 111b) carries at least one shuttle (123a, 123b), which is translationally movable in said guide rails (111a, 111b). According to the invention, at least one of the guide rails (111a, 111b) carries a removable guide element (112) with a length (L) at least equal to the length (L') of the shuttle (123a, 123b), such that, when the guide element is removed, the shuttle (123a, 123b) can be disengaged from the guide rail (111a, 111b).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Device for closing a bay provided in the body of a vehicle, and corresponding vehicle

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] The field of the invention is that of the equipment of bays, used in particular in motor vehicles.

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to devices for closing a bay provided in a structural element, for example in the bodywork of a vehicle, or in a door of the vehicle, and comprising a sliding movable part capable of releasing or closing an opening while offering a flush appearance, seen from the outside.

[0006] The invention can in particular be fitted to different types of structures, such as caravans, motorhomes, coaches and buses, minibuses, trucks, vans, boats, etc.

[0007] Such devices, developed over several years by the holder of this application, are known in particular under the term "flush bay".

[0008] In other words, these devices are designed so as to present, seen from the outside, a flush or almost flush appearance between the bodywork, or more generally the wall or structure, and the fixed panel of the device.

[0009] Prior art

[0010] The general principle of this technique is described in particular in patent documents EP-0 778 168 and EP-0 857 844.

[0011] The shutter device (hereinafter called "flush bay") comprises a fixed part and a part that moves relative to this fixed part, or sliding panel.

[0012] 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.

[0013] These functional elements, or rails, provide a guiding and holding function for the movable panel. They are placed on the face facing the interior of the vehicle, sufficiently far from the edges, or periphery, of the fixed part so that this periphery can be secured directly to the edges of the opening, without the rails interfering. This eliminates the need for a connecting frame between the edges of the opening and the fixed part.

[0014] This fixed part can be made of one or more elements (placed next to each other in the same plane), for example in glass or polycarbonate.

[0015] Such a flush bay can thus be mounted entirely independently of the vehicle, and fitted, 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.

[0016] The edges of the fixed part are secured, for example using a bead of glue, to the edges of the bay, without any other intermediate connecting element.

[0017] Aesthetically, the flush bay window has a smooth, flush appearance from the outside, as no frame is required around the edge of the opening formed in the fixed assembly.

[0018] To ensure the movement of the movable part, generally consisting of a transparent panel, a guide device is therefore provided comprising a first and a second guide rail mounted fixedly on the fixed part (or fixed structure) of the bay, on either side of the opening closed by the movable panel.

[0019] The movable panel is mounted on the rails, to slide for example in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) open position and a closed position, in which it closes the opening.

[0020] To maximize the flush appearance, it was proposed that, in the closed position, the movable panel should be inscribed in the plane of the fixed part, passing from an intermediate release position, in the sliding plane, opposite the opening and clear of it to the closed position.

[0021] It should be noted that the term "plan" must here be understood in a broader sense: the plan 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 certain cases, the term "substantially" used in the description and the claims).

[0022] The movable panel can be moved manually or using an electric motor. In the latter case, actuating means act on the movable panel in order to move the latter between a closed position and at least one open position. The actuating means may in particular be in the form of a cable (called a Push-Pull cable) connected to the electric motor so as to pull or push the movable panel. The actuating means may also be in the form of a rack or cables of the bicycle cable type.

[0023] To facilitate the opening and closing of the movable panel, a known technique consists of implementing, in each of the guide rails, a shuttle guided in translation in the rail, as described for example in patent document WO2010 / 146185. Each shuttle makes it possible to control the movement of the movable panel, on the one hand to release it or insert it into the opening made in the fixed panel (Y axis) and on the other hand to guide it in sliding (X axis). Such a shuttle may comprise two guide tracks capable of cooperating respectively with two fixed pins carried by the movable panel, or vice versa.

[0024] The cooperation of the guide tracks with the fixed pins makes it possible to obtain an offset, classically a sway, of the movable panel so as to move the lateral edges of the movable panel relative to the fixed part.

[0025] As mentioned above, the bay window is assembled before being fixed to the opening in the structure. Generally, the bay window is fixed to the structure by gluing.

[0026] A disadvantage of this technique is that its disassembly is therefore relatively complex. Indeed, to disassemble 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 the glue holding the bay in position against the structure. It is also necessary to remove the entire trim to allow the removal of the complete bay. Once the intervention is carried out, it is necessary to put the entire device back in place, with a new glue joint.

[0027] These operations are complex, time-consuming and can then cause defects, particularly aesthetic ones, on the receiving structure and / or on the bay.

[0028] As a result, bay maintenance operations 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 broken glass in the mobile panel, a problem with a return spring or a drive or synchronization cable, etc.).

[0029] There is therefore a need to provide a device for closing a bay to facilitate and optimize bay maintenance operations after fixing to the structure.

[0030] The technical solution must not, however, induce harmful and undesirable effects which could degrade the efficiency and reliability of current bays.

[0031] Summary of the invention

[0032] 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 a bay provided 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.

[0033] According to one aspect of 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 released from said guide rail.

[0034] In this way, a part of one of the guide rails can be moved and / or removed so as to allow translational movement along the Y axis (perpendicular to the X sliding axis) of the shuttle. Such a degree of freedom makes it possible to release / remove the corresponding shuttle from the guide rail without intervention on the fixed part. Thus, it is possible to completely dismantle the mobile subassembly, comprising the mobile panel and a guide shuttle, with respect to the fixed subassembly, comprising the fixed part and the guide rails, which remains secured to the structure.

[0035] The invention thus makes it possible to facilitate maintenance operations on the closure device without requiring the closure device to be completely dismantled from the structure in which it is mounted. In other words, it is possible to leave the fixed subassembly secured to the structure during maintenance operations not requiring its dismantling, which is not the case in the techniques of the prior art.

[0036] In other words, at least one of the rails carries a movable element, carrying a guide portion of the movable panel. Depending on the implementations, this movable element can be movable in translation and / or in rotation relative to the rail between a functional position (or of attachment to the rail), in which it ensures the maintenance and / or the guidance of the movable panel, and a release position, allowing the removal of the movable panel.

[0037] Thus, according to another aspect of the invention, at least one of said guide rails carries a guide element movable in translation and / or in rotation relative to said rail between an operational position and a release position, of length at least equal to the length of said shuttle, allowing, in said release position, said shuttle to be released from said guide rail.

[0038] Depending on the implementations, said movable guide element can be completely removed, or separated, from the rail, or remain secured to it, in said secured position.

[0039] According to a particular aspect of 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.

[0040] According to a particular embodiment of 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 the latter.

[0041] Thus, to remove / separate the removable guide element from the guide rail, it is necessary to first apply a movement in a direction parallel to the guide rail (along the X axis) then in a direction perpendicular to the guide rail (along the Y axis). Other assembly / disassembly kinematics, in X then Z for example, 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.

[0042] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said guide rail, respectively said removable guide element, carries at least one hook capable of being secured to a corresponding housing formed in said removable guide element, respectively said rail, in said securing position.

[0043] Such means of securing the removable guide element to the guide rail are very simple to implement, inexpensive and reliable. These securing means provide a simple technical solution for obtaining the double release movement along the X axis then the Y axis. Other holding solutions, for example a screw or any other suitable connecting element, can be implemented.

[0044] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the closure device comprises at least two similar hooks, distributed along an axis parallel to the axis of said guide rail.

[0045] This optimises the guidance and retention of the removable guide element relative to the guide rail.

[0046] According to yet another particular aspect of the invention, said guide rail has a groove for guiding said removable guide element along said rail.

[0047] Such a groove ensures optimal guidance of the removable guide element along the X axis when it moves from the securing position to the release position, and vice versa.

[0048] 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 holding and / or guiding portion formed in said guide rail.

[0049] 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 jolts, etc.).

[0050] According to yet another particular aspect of the invention, said removable guide element carries an end portion intended to be in abutment with a trim element of a vehicle.

[0051] This end portion allows in particular to form a “wall” against the passage of light.

[0052] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one closing device as described previously.

[0053] List of Figures The invention, as well as the various advantages that it presents, will be more easily understood, in the light of the following description of an illustrative and non-limiting embodiment thereof, and of the appended drawings among which:

[0054] [Fig 1] illustrates an example of a shutter device, or flush bay;

[0055] [Fig 2] illustrates the movable subassembly of the shutter device of Figure 1;

[0056] [Fig 3] illustrates an overall perspective view of a closure device according to the invention;

[0057] [Fig 4] illustrates a partially exploded view of the closure device of Figure 3;

[0058] [Fig 5] illustrates a detail view showing the removable guide element mounted on the guide rail of the shutter device of Figure 3;

[0059] [Fig 6] illustrates a detail view showing the guide rail after removal of the removable guide element of Figure 5.

[0060] Detailed description of the invention

[0061] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated below, treated as a simple illustrative, and non-limiting, example, with the support of figures 1 to 6.

[0062] General operation of the bay

[0063] Figure 1 illustrates a sliding flush bay with a movable panel as viewed from inside the vehicle.

[0064] Such a flush bay 1 is in the form of an assembly, or closure device, ready to be placed in a bay (i.e. an opening, or a "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 a camper van, for example), or more generally a wall to receive a closure device provided with an opening. To simplify the understanding of the invention, the bodywork 10, also called structure, well known in the state of the art, is shown schematically in broken lines.

[0065] Such a closure device comprises a fixed part 110, that is to say 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.

[0066] The fixed part 110, also called fixed panel, can in particular be made of glass or polycarbonate, in one or more elements. The fixed part 110 is pierced with an opening closed by the movable panel 120 in the position of FIG. 1 and extending in the same plane as the fixed part 110.

[0067] This movable panel 120 comprises in particular a glazed portion 122 and a frame 121, as illustrated in figure 2.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The fixed part 110 and the rails 111a, 111b form a fixed subassembly 11 of the closing device 1.

[0070] It is noted that these rails are far from the outline of the fixed part 110, and do not participate in, nor harm, the securing of the latter to the edge of the bay.

[0071] The rails 111a and 111b, which are substantially parallel in this example, hold and guide the movable panel 120 in sliding motion, which has a frame 121 secured to the rails 111a, 111b.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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).

[0074] Thus, the movable panel 120 can take one or more opening positions, depending on its position relative to the rails 111a, 111b.

[0075] 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 provide a flush assembly (bodywork 10, fixed part 11 and movable part 12).

[0076] The face of the fixed part 110 facing the interior of the vehicle also carries a seal (not shown) glued to the contour of the opening, the end of the lip of which comes to bear on the movable panel 120, when the latter is in the closed position. In a variant, the seal can be mounted on the frame 121 of the movable panel 12, to come into contact with the fixed part 110.

[0077] 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 of each lateral edge of the movable panel 120 respectively and cooperating with a front and rear pin (not shown) secured to an edge of the movable panel 120.

[0078] Each shuttle 123a, 123b is thus guided in sliding 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.

[0079] The rails are therefore able to receive 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 being responsible for movement along the Y axis.

[0080] The tracks provided in the shuttles 123a, 123b allow, when the shuttles are moved, to drive the movable panel and allow its movement, along the X and Y axes, between the closed position and the open position(s).

[0081] The movable panel 120 and the shuttles 123a, 123b form a movable subassembly 12 of the closing device 1.

[0082] The various movements of the movable panel 120 are controlled from means for setting the shuttles 2, 3 in motion inside the guide rails 111a, 111b.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] The drive cable 13 is, in this example, pushed or pulled by a motor (not shown). 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.

[0086] Figure 3 illustrates the closure device 1 of the invention in a conventional position of use, corresponding to a fully mounted position / state of the closure device 1 in the opening provided in the bodywork 10.

[0087] Figure 4 illustrates the closure 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.

[0088] In this example, the upper rail 111a carries the removable guide element 112. This removable guide element 112 constitutes a part of the rail 111a and is capable, when mounted / fixed on the rail 111a, of guiding the upper shuttle 123a.

[0089] The removable guide element 112 is therefore capable, on the one hand, of guiding the upper shuttle 123a when it is mounted on the upper rail 111a (secured position) and, on the other hand, of freeing up sufficient space to allow the removal of the upper shuttle 123a from the upper guide rail 111a when it is dismantled from the upper guide rail 111a.

[0090] The removable guide element 112 therefore has a shape corresponding to the profile of the upper rail 111a to allow the shuttle 123a to be guided. 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 released / removed from the upper rail 111a, by a movement along the Y axis when the removable guide element 112 is removed.

[0091] Indeed, the removal / disassembly of the removable guide element 112 makes it possible to move the upper shuttle 123a along the Y axis so as to remove / disengage the upper shuttle 123a from the guide rail 111a. The removal of the removable guide element 112 therefore makes it possible to release a degree of freedom (in translation) along the Y axis for the upper shuttle 123a.

[0092] Figure 5 illustrates in detail the removable guide element 112 when it is mounted on the upper guide rail 111a, corresponding to the position of securing the removable guide element 112.

[0093] Figure 6 illustrates in detail the receiving portion 111c of the upper guide rail 111a capable of 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 illustrated.

[0094] In the secured position illustrated in 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.

[0095] 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 do this, the removable guide element 112 has a second portion for holding and / or guiding the upper shuttle 123a extending a first portion for holding and / or guiding formed in the upper guide rail 111a.

[0096] As illustrated in Figure 6, the receiving portion 111c of the guide rail 111a has, in this example, three securing hooks 114. The receiving portion 111c must have at least one hook. The use of three hooks 114 allows efficient and reliable securing of the removable guide element 112.

[0097] 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).

[0098] 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).

[0099] Each hook 114 is intended to cooperate / be secured to a respective housing (not shown) carried by the removable guide element 112.

[0100] It is obviously understood that the hooks could be carried by the removable guide element and that the housings could be provided on the guide rail, without however departing from the general principle of the invention.

[0101] Thus, to remove the removable guide element 112, it is necessary to move the latter in a direction parallel to the upper guide rail 111a (here towards the rear of the vehicle or along the X axis). This first movement makes it possible to move the removable guide element 112 between a securing position (illustrated in FIG. 5) and a release position (not shown). The second section of the hooks preferably has a relatively short length so that the movement in the direction parallel to the guide rail (along the X axis) for the transition from the securing 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 closure device 1.

[0102] 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.

[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the 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 securing position to the release position, and vice versa.

[0104] When the removable guide element 112 is removed / separated from the guide rail 111a, it is then easy to remove, by a translational movement along the Y axis, the shuttle 123a, 123b from the guide rail. Thus, the mobile subassembly 12 can be separated from the fixed subassembly 11 to facilitate maintenance operations on the closure device.

[0105] Other aspects and variants

[0106] In the embodiment described above, the removable guide element 112 is implemented on the upper guide rail 111a. It is obviously understood that the removable guide element 112 could be implemented on the lower guide rail 111b. It could also be implemented on the upper 111a and lower 111b guide rails in order to further facilitate the separation / disassembly of the fixed and mobile subassemblies relative to each other.

[0107] In the embodiment described above, the means for fixing the removable guide element to the guide rail are in the form of hooks and corresponding housings. It is obviously understood that other fixing means can be envisaged 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 removal of the shuttle from the guide rail.

[0108] According to a particular aspect, holding means (not shown) are implemented to hold the removable guide element in the secured position. These holding means are, for example, in the form of clips or holding screws.

[0109] In a variant not shown, it is possible to envisage not completely separating the removable guide element from the guide rail. For example, the removable guide element could pivot relative to the guide rail, thus forming a pivoting cover.

[0110] The removable guide element 112 is for example made of a plastic material in order to limit 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 must also have an aesthetic equivalent to the guide rail 111a, 111b on which it is mounted.

[0111] In another variant not illustrated, the removable guide element carries, opposite the guide rail, an end portion intended to be in docking (i.e. in contact / in abutment) with a trim element of the vehicle. Such a docking portion, formed by a protrusion or a continuity of the rail (continuity of the support rib Z), also serves as a wall against the passage of light.

[0112] 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 a bay is defined, such as, for example, a caravan or a motorhome.

[0113] In particular, the bay can be formed in a side wall of the vehicle (for example for utility vehicles, MPVs, station wagons, etc.), in a wall facing the rear of the vehicle (for example for pick-ups), or even in a door.

[0114] It can also be a vehicle separation bay.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A shuttering device (1) for an opening in a structure, comprising a fixed part (110) in which an opening is defined, and at least one movable panel (120) sliding along two guide rails (111a, 111b) mounted on one face of said fixed panel (110), between a closed position, shuttering said opening, in a first plane defined by said fixed panel (110), referred to as the shuttering plane, and at least one open position, in a second plane, referred to as the sliding plane, substantially parallel to said shuttering plane, each of said guide rails (111a, 111b) carrying at least one shuttle (123a, 123b) guided in translation within said rail (111a, 111b), movable in translation within said guide rails (111a, 111b), and ensuring the passage of the movable panel (120) from said position of closure at said at least one sliding position, and vice versa,and the sliding movement of said movable panel (120) in said shutter plane, characterized in that at least one of said guide rails (111a, 111b) carries a removable guide element (112) of length (L) at least equal to the length (L') of said shuttle (123a, 123b), allowing, when removed, said shuttle (123a, 123b) to be released from said guide rail (111a, 111b).

2. A sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable guide element (112) is movable in a direction parallel to said guide rail (111a, 111b), between a position of attachment to the rail and a release position.

3. A sealing device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, in said release position, said removable guide element (112) is movable in at least one direction perpendicular to said guide rail (111a, 111b), so as to be separated from it.

4. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said guide rail (111a, 111b), respectively said element of removable guide (112), carries at least one hook (114) capable of being secured to a corresponding housing formed in said removable guide element (112), respectively said rail (111a, 111b), in said securing position.

5. A sealing device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two similar hooks (114), distributed along an axis parallel to the axis of said guide rail (111a, 111b).

6. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said guide rail (111a, 111b) has a guide groove (113) for said removable guide element (112) along said rail.

7. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said removable guide element (112) has a second portion for retaining and / or guiding said shuttle, extending a first portion for retaining and / or guiding formed in said guide rail (111a, 111b).

8. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said removable guide element (112) has an end portion intended to be in contact with a trim element of a vehicle.

9. Motor vehicle comprising at least one sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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