Stop device for a sliding door

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stop device (1) for stopping a sliding door (2) of a vehicle, comprising a pin (20), a plate (6) pivotably mounted (2) on this pin (20), and a roller (36) disposed at one end (10) of the plate (6) and mounted so as to rotate relative thereto. According to the invention, the stop device (1) comprises at least a first resilient element (48) and a second resilient element (50), both at least partially wound around the pin (20), a rotation of the plate (6) in a first direction of rotation exerting stress on the first resilient element (48) and a rotation in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, exerting stress on the second resilient element (50).

Description

[0001] Title ■ Stop device for sliding door

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of sliding openings for motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of systems for stopping or locking such sliding openings in position.

[0003] Some motor vehicles include a sliding opening, such opening being able to be arranged on one side only, on each side or at the rear of a vehicle body.

[0004] These openings are configured to slide in a first direction so as to generate an opening of the opening and in a second direction so as to cause a closing of the opening. For this purpose, they may comprise opening stop devices which allow such sliding. Such stop devices may for example be mounted on rails, their sliding along these rails being limited by the presence of a resistance zone. This resistance zone may for example take the form of a spring blade or a spring-mounted roller. The stop device must allow both an entry force into this resistance zone for opening the opening and an exit force from the resistance zone for closing the opening.Calibrating the stop device can then prove difficult; in the presence of a spring-loaded blade or a spring-mounted roller, it is not possible to adapt the force depending on whether you wish to open or close the opening.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a stopping device configured to adjust the force between the opening and closing of the opening. It is thus possible to obtain a lower force when opening the opening, in comparison with a greater force for closing it.

[0006] The main subject of the present invention is thus a device for stopping a sliding door of a vehicle, comprising a pin, a plate pivotally mounted on this pin, and a roller arranged at one end of the plate and mounted to rotate relative to the latter. According to the invention, the stopping device comprises at least a first elastic element and a second elastic element, both at least partly wound around the pin, a rotation of the plate in a first direction of rotation exerting a stress on the first elastic element and a rotation in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, exerting a stress on the second elastic element. The first direction of rotation may, for example, correspond to an opening of the sliding door, while the second direction of rotation corresponds to a closing thereof.The stop device according to the invention thus makes it easier to operate the sliding door it is fitted with, by allowing separate constraints depending on whether a user wishes to open or close the sliding door.

[0007] The pin may correspond to an axis of rotation of the plate and extend on either side of it; thus, the first elastic element is arranged on one side of the plate and the second elastic element on the other side. The roller extends on either side of the plate. It helps guide the sliding of the sliding door, for example by cooperating with rails arranged on this sliding door or on a body of the vehicle.

[0008] According to a characteristic of the invention, the stopping device comprises a base carrying the pin, one of the ends of the first elastic element bearing against the base and bearing against the plate.

[0009] According to another characteristic of the invention, one of the ends of the second elastic element bears against the base and bears against the plate.

[0010] According to different embodiments, the plate can be mounted pivoting relative to the pin, or the plate and the pin are integral with each other and pivoting relative to the base.

[0011] Each of the elastic elements bears against both the base and the plate; more particularly, one of their ends, for example their first end, bears against the base and against the plate.

[0012] According to a characteristic of the invention, one of the ends is in a notch of the base and in a groove of the plate.

[0013] It is understood here that one of the ends of the first elastic element is arranged in a first notch of the base and in a first groove of the plate, and that one of the ends of the second elastic element is arranged in a second notch of the base and in a second groove of this plate.

[0014] The particular shapes of the portions of the base and the plate which receive the ends of the elastic elements, respectively a notch and a groove, are open so that each elastic element is driven in only one direction, that is to say either in the first direction of rotation or in the second direction of rotation. According to another characteristic of the invention, the base is U-shaped with a first arm and a second arm connected by a base, the second arm comprising a first notch and the first arm comprising a second notch.

[0015] It is understood here that the first and second arms are substantially parallel and are joined at one of their ends by the base, so as to form the U. Each of the arms has a notch, so as to receive one and the other of the elastic elements.

[0016] Similarly, the plate comprises a first groove and a second groove. These grooves extend on either side of an axis which passes through the pin, for example the rotation axis of the plate.

[0017] According to one characteristic, the plate is arranged in a plane extending between a plane in which the first arm of the base extends predominantly and a plane in which the second arm of the base extends predominantly.

[0018] Thus, the plate is arranged in the U shape formed by the first arm and the second arm of the base, these three elements being substantially parallel.

[0019] According to a characteristic of the invention, the elastic elements extend mainly between the plane in which the first arm mainly extends and the plane in which the second arm mainly extends.

[0020] In the same way as for the plate, these elastic elements are therefore arranged within the U formed by the arms of the base. The elastic elements, and in particular their ends which are received in the notches of the base, can however extend slightly outside this U shape.

[0021] According to another characteristic of the invention, the first elastic element is a first coil spring and the second elastic element is a second coil spring.

[0022] These springs have extensions which extend their stacks of coils; it is these extensions which constitute the ends of the elastic elements which come to bear on the base or on the plate.

[0023] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first spring and the second spring have different calibrations. Such different calibrations may for example result from a different number of turns for each of the springs, and / or from different diameters of these turns, and / or from different diameters of the wires which are wound into turns.

[0024] As mentioned previously, the roller is arranged at one end of the plate. More precisely, it is arranged at one end of the plate opposite the base of the base, such an arrangement being appreciated in relation to the pin.

[0025] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a device for stopping a sliding door as mentioned above, this stopping device being integral with the sliding door.

[0026] Alternatively, this stopping device is attached to a vehicle body.

[0027] According to one characteristic, the vehicle comprises a translation member arranged along a guide rail of the vehicle, this translation member being intended to come into contact against the roller.

[0028] This translation organ is, for example, a door carriage. It is intended in particular to cooperate with the roller.

[0029] It is thus understood that there are embodiments of the invention in which the stopping device is carried by the sliding door, while in other embodiments it is arranged on the body of the vehicle.

[0030] Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which follows on the one hand, and examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0031] [Fig. 1] illustrates, schematically, a stopping device for a sliding door in a perspective view;

[0032] [Fig. 2] is another perspective view of the stopping device of Fig. 1;

[0033] [Fig. 3] is an exploded view of the stopping device of Fig. 1;

[0034] [Fig. 4] illustrates, schematically, an operation of the stopping device in a first direction of translation;

[0035] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates an operation of the stopping device in a second direction of translation.

[0036] The features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0037] In the figures, elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 thus illustrate, schematically, a stopping device 1 of a sliding door 2 according to the invention, respectively according to two perspective views and an exploded view. Such a stopping device 1 is configured to equip a body structure, in particular a lateral side of the body of a motor vehicle, comprising a guide rail 65 along which a side door is able to slide, in particular by means of a translation member 68, here a door carriage.

[0039] According to an alternative embodiment, such a stopping device 1 is configured to equip a sliding door 2 of a motor vehicle, for example a side door or more generally any type of sliding opening.

[0040] According to different embodiments, the stopping device 1 is thus placed either on the sliding door 2 or on a body 4 of the vehicle.

[0041] The stop device comprises a plate 6, which is a flat and substantially rectangular plate. This plate 6 has a main direction of extension which corresponds to a longitudinal direction. It comprises a first longitudinal end 8 and a second longitudinal end 10, which make it possible to delimit between them a first face 12 and a second face 14. These two faces 12, 14 are therefore opposite each other. The first longitudinal end 8 and the second longitudinal end 10 are furthermore connected by longitudinal edges 16, 18 of the plate 6, including a first longitudinal edge 16 and a second longitudinal edge 18.

[0042] The plate 6 is crossed by a pin 20, which extends substantially perpendicularly to the first face 12 and to the second face 14. The pin 20 may be integral with the plate 6 or separate from it; in the exploded view of FIG. 3, pin 20 and plate 6 are integral. The pin 20 defines an axis of rotation X along which it extends mainly. Such an axis of rotation X is therefore also perpendicular to the plate 6.

[0043] The plate 6 pivots along the axis of rotation X. Depending on whether the plate 6 and the pin 20 are separate or integral, the plate 6 can respectively be mounted pivoting relative to the pin 20, or the plate 6 and the pin 20 pivot together along the axis of rotation X. In both cases, the plate 6 rotates around the axis of rotation X in a first direction of rotation A or in a second direction of rotation B, opposite to the first direction of rotation A. The first direction of rotation A can, for example, correspond to an opening of the sliding door 2, while the second direction of rotation B corresponds to a closing thereof. A mechanism for opening and closing the sliding door 2 involving the stop device 1 will be described in more detail below, in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0044] As particularly visible in Figures 1 and 2, the plate 6 is arranged within a base 22. This base 22 comprises a first arm 24, a second arm 26, and a base 28 which connects the first and second arms 24, 26. Each of the first and second arms 24, 26 is substantially perpendicular to the base 28, the base 22 thus having a U shape.

[0045] The first arm 24, the second arm 26 and the base 28 define between them an internal housing 30, within which the plate 6 extends. More precisely, the plate 6 is arranged in a plane extending between a plane in which the first arm 24 of the base 22 mainly extends and a plane in which the second arm 26 of the base 22 mainly extends. It is thus understood that the plate 6, the first arm 24 and the second arm 28 are substantially parallel. The plate 6 is here arranged substantially equidistant from the first arm 24 and the second arm 26.

[0046] Like the plate 6, the base 22 receives the pin 20. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the base 22 has for this purpose orifices 32, 34 into which the pin 20 can be inserted. The first arm 24 thus carries a first orifice 32, while the second arm 26 carries a second orifice 34, these two orifices 32, 34 being aligned along the axis of rotation X.

[0047] The first longitudinal end 8 of the plate 6 corresponds to the end of this plate 6 which is closest to the base 28 of the base 22, as opposed to the second longitudinal end 10 which is further away from it. This second longitudinal end carries a roller 36, which pivots with the aid of the plate 6.

[0048] According to the embodiment in which the stop device 1 is integral with the vehicle body, the movement of the door is effected by the movement of the translation member 68, that is to say the door carriage, along the guide rail 65 fixed to the body. The movement path of the translation member 68 crosses the roller 36 when the door is moved along the body.

[0049] As particularly visible in Figure 3, the plate 6 has, at its second longitudinal end 10, a slot 38 into which the roller 36 is inserted. As a result, the roller 36 projects from both the first face 12 and the second face 14 of the plate 6. The roller 36 is thus mounted to rotate relative to the plate 6.

[0050] One of the two longitudinal edges 16, 18 of the plate 6 has a first groove 40 and a second groove 42. These two grooves 40, 42 pass through the plate 6 from one side to the other so that they extend from its first face 12 to its second face 14. The first and second grooves 40, 42 are arranged on the plate 6 so that the first groove 40 is closer to the second longitudinal end 10 of the plate 6 than the second groove 42, and conversely this second groove 42 is closer to the first longitudinal end 8 of the plate 6 than the first groove 40. It is thus understood that the pin 20, and by extension the axis of rotation X which passes through it, are arranged between the first groove 40 and the second groove 42 along a longitudinal plane.

[0051] The base 22 comprises a first notch 44 and a second notch 46. These notches 44, 46 are arranged on the base 22 opposite the first groove 40 and the second groove 42. More precisely, the first notch 44 is arranged on the second arm 26 of the base 22 opposite the first groove 40 of the plate 6, and in the same way the second notch 46 is arranged on the first arm 24 of the base 22 opposite the second groove 42 of the plate 6.

[0052] According to the invention, the stop device 1 comprises a first elastic element 48 and a second elastic element 50. These elastic elements 48, 50 are for example coil springs. They each have a first end 52, 54, a second end 56, 58, and a winding of turns between these two ends 52, 54, 56, 58. The elastic elements 48, 50 are at least partly wound around the pin 20; more precisely, their respective windings of turns are arranged around this pin 20, while their ends 52, 54, 56, 58 correspond to portions having a bend which are not wound around the pin 20.

[0053] First elastic element 48 and second elastic element 50 have different calibrations, which modify their stiffness. Such a difference in calibration results here from a different number of turns, as particularly visible in Figure 3, the second elastic element 50 having more turns than the first elastic element 48. It could however be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the difference in calibration is a function of the diameter of the turns of the elastic elements 48, 50 or even of the diameter of the wires constituting these turns.

[0054] The first elastic element 48 is arranged at least partly around the pin 20 on the side of the first face 12 of the plate 6. It thus extends mainly within the internal housing 30 between the plate 6 and the first arm 24. Conversely, the second elastic element 50 is wound around the pin 20 on the side of the second face 14 of the plate 6. As a result, it extends mainly in the internal housing 30 between this plate 6 and the second arm 26.

[0055] The first end 52 of the first elastic element 48 passes through the second arm 24 of the base 22. Indeed, and as particularly visible in FIG. 1, this first end 52 is inserted into an opening 60 made in the first arm 24. In the same way, the second end 58 of the second element 50 is inserted into a hole 62 made in the second arm 26, orifice 60 and hole 62 being opposite each other along the axis of rotation X.

[0056] The second end 54 of the first elastic element 48 extends beyond the plane in which the second arm 26 mainly extends. For this purpose, it bears against the base 22 and this second arm 26. More particularly, the second end 54 bears against the first groove 40 of the plate 6 and against the first notch 44 of the second arm 26. Similarly, the first end 56 of the second elastic element 50 extends beyond the plane in which the first arm 24 mainly extends. This second end 56 rests against the base 22 and this first arm 24 in that it bears against the second groove 42 of the plate 6 and against the second notch 46 of the first arm 24.

[0057] According to the invention, a rotation of the plate 6 around the axis of rotation X in the first direction of rotation A exerts a stress on the first elastic element 48, while a rotation of the plate 6 in the second direction of rotation B exerts a stress on the second elastic element 50. Depending on whether the stop device 1 allows the opening or closing of the sliding door 2 which it equips, it is therefore understood that one or other of the elastic elements 48, 50 is stressed.

[0058] The operating mechanism of the stopping device 1 will now be described in relation to figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 illustrates an opening of the sliding door 2, while in figure 5 its closing is shown diagrammatically. The stopping device 1 is here secured to the body 4 of the motor vehicle, but it could alternatively be secured to its sliding door 2.

[0059] The stop device 1 cooperates here with the guide rail 65 fixed to the body, the guide rail 65 being partly delimited by the first and second walls 64, 66, in the sense that the translation member 68 extends transversely between the first and second walls 64, 66, mainly parallel to each other. The translation member 68 is capable of performing a substantially translational movement relative to the rail 65 in a first translation direction Y or in a second translation direction Z, this second translation direction Z being opposite to the first translation direction Y. The translation member 68 which belongs to the carriage secured to the door 2 moves along the rail 65 during the movement of the door 2, in particular between the first and second walls 64, 66.

[0060] In Figure 4, which corresponds to an opening of the sliding door 2, the translation member 68 performs a translation in the first translation direction Y, while in Figure 5, which shows a closing of the sliding door 2, the translation member 68 translates in the second translation direction Z. In these two figures, three successive positions of the translation member 68 are shown so as to illustrate its translation either in the first translation direction Y or in the second translation direction Z.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, when the translation member 68 moves in the first translation direction Y it comes into contact with the roller 36. The roller 36 being mounted on the plate 6, such contact causes the rotation of this plate 6 around the axis of rotation X in the first direction of rotation A. The first elastic element 48 then undergoes a stress. The second elastic element 50 does not undergo stress; it remains in abutment against the second notch 46 of the base 22 but is no longer in abutment against the second groove 42 of the plate 6. It is therefore not driven by the plate 6, unlike the first elastic element 48 which remains in abutment against the first groove 40 of this plate 6.

[0062] Conversely and as shown in Figure 5, the contact of the translation member 68 and the roller 36 when the translation member 68 moves in the second translation direction Z causes the plate 6 to rotate around the rotation axis X in the second rotation direction B. It is then the second elastic element 50 which is constrained. For this purpose, it bears against the second groove 42 of the plate 6 and is therefore driven by it when it rotates. The second elastic element 50 is then no longer bearing against the second notch 46 of the base 22. The first elastic element 48 is not constrained; it no longer bears against the first groove 40 of the plate 6, and as such it is understood that it is not driven by it.

[0063] Due to the difference in calibration between the first elastic element 48 and the second elastic element 50, it is possible to adjust the force required for the plate 6 to rotate in the first direction of rotation A or the second direction of rotation B; thus, handling of the sliding door 2 is facilitated. As mentioned above, the first elastic element 48 has a lower number of turns compared to the number of turns of the second elastic element 50; its stiffness is therefore less significant. Thus, the stress of the first elastic element 48 which corresponds to an opening of the sliding door 2 requires less force due to this lower stiffness, while the stress of the second elastic element 50 which corresponds to a closing of the sliding door 2 requires more force.

[0064] The present invention thus provides a sliding door stop device with a first elastic element and a second elastic element, the presence of these two elastic elements making it possible to adjust a force necessary for opening and closing the sliding door.

[0065] The present invention cannot, however, be limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated here and it also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically effective combination of such means.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A stopping device (1) for a sliding door (2) of a vehicle, comprising a pin (20), a plate (6) pivotally mounted (2) on this pin (20), and a roller (36), disposed at one end (10) of the plate (6) and mounted to rotate relative thereto, the stopping device (1) being characterized in that it comprises at least a first elastic element (48) and a second elastic element (50) both at least partially wound around the pin (20), a rotation of the plate (6) in a first direction of rotation (A) exerting a stress on the first elastic element (48) and a rotation in a second direction of rotation (B), opposite to the first direction of rotation (A), exerting a stress on the second elastic element (50).

2. Stopping device (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a base (22) carrying the pin (20), one of the ends (54) of the first elastic element (48) being in contact with the base (22) and in contact with the plate (6).

3. Stopping device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which one of the ends (56) of the second elastic element (50) is supported against the base (22) and supported against the plate (6).

4. Stop device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claims 2 and 3, wherein one of the ends (54, 56) is in a notch (44, 46) of the base (22) and in a groove (40, 42) of the plate (6).

5. Stopping device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the base (22) is U-shaped with a first arm (24) and a second arm (26) connected by a base (28), the second arm (26) comprising a first notch (44) and the first arm (24) comprising a second notch (46).

6. Stopping device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the plate (6) is arranged in a plane extending between a plane in which the first arm (24) of the base (22) extends and a plane in which the second arm (26) of the base (22) extends.

7. Stopping device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the elastic elements (48, 50) extend between the plane in which the first arm (24) extends and the plane in which the second arm (26) extends.

8. Stopping device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first elastic element (48) is a first coil spring and the second elastic element (50) is a second coil spring.

9. Stop device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first spring and the second spring have different settings.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a stopping device (1) for a sliding door (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, this stopping device (1) being integral with the sliding door (2).

11. Motor vehicle comprising a stopping device (1) for a sliding door (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, this stopping device (1) being integral with a body (4) of the vehicle.

12. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 10 and 11, comprising a translation member (68) disposed along a guide rail (65) of the vehicle, this translation member (68) being intended to come into contact with the roller (36).

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