Locking device for a moving part of a vehicle

Abstract

Locking device for a moving part of a vehicle. The locking device (6) comprises: - at least one locking element (10, 12) movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; - a pivoting element (16) linked to the locking element (10, 12), movable in rotation about an axis (A-A'), comprising a bearing surface; - an actuating element (14) comprising an actuating surface (38) in contact with the bearing surface at a point of contact, the actuating element (14) being movable so as to cause the pivoting element (16) to rotate about the axis (A-A') and move the locking element (10, 12) from the locked position to the unlocked position. The bearing surface and / or the actuating surface (38) are curved surfaces such that the lever arm between the point of contact and the axis (A-A') varies. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Locking device for a moving part of a vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for a moving part of a vehicle trim element, comprising:

[0002] - at least one movable locking element in translation in a direction of rusting along a locking direction between a locked position, in which at least one locking element prevents movement of the moving part, and an unlocked position in which at least one locking element allows movement of the moving part;

[0003] - a pivoting element linked to at least one locking element, the element of pivoting being mobile in rotation about a pivot axis, the pivoting element comprising a body extending in a pivot plane substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis and a bearing surface projecting from the body; and

[0004] - an actuation element comprising an actuation surface, in contact with the bearing surface at a point of contact in a plane substantially parallel to the pivot plane, the actuating element being movable between a rest position and an actuating position in an actuating direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis so that, when the actuating element is moved from the rest position to the actuating position, the actuating surface cooperates with the bearing surface at the point of contact to cause the pivoting element to rotate about the pivot axis and move at least one locking element from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0005] The invention also relates to a trim element equipped with such a locking device.

[0006] The invention relates for example to a locking device for locking a storage compartment, such as a glove box, the lid of such a storage compartment, a drawer or a tray in a closed position on a dashboard or a vehicle center console.

[0007] To unlock such a moving part and allow its movement, for example, to an open position, it is known to actuate the locking elements to place them in an unlocked position, for example by actuating an actuating element, such as a push button, provided on the moving part or on the support of this part.

[0008] However, as the actuating element and the locking elements do not Since they do not move in the same direction, a complex mechanism is generally provided between the actuating element and the locking elements to convert the movement of the actuating element in one actuating direction into a movement of the locking elements in one locking direction. This increases the overall size of the locking device.

[0009] The actuation of the actuating element is, for example, intended to cause the rotation of a pivoting element around a pivoting axis. Such a locking device then requires the application of a significant force on the actuating element, particularly at the beginning of the actuation, to rotate the pivoting element.

[0010] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a simple and effective locking device, which has a moderate size and for which the effort required for its actuation is reduced, while maintaining a limited stroke of the actuation element.

[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a locking device of the aforementioned type, in which at least one between the bearing surface and the actuating surface is a curved surface such that, when moving the actuating element between the rest position and the actuating position, the point of contact moves by varying the lever arm between the point of contact and the pivot axis.

[0012] The locking device according to the invention is particularly effective because the lever arm between the contact point and the pivot axis is adapted to the situation. For example, a large lever arm at the beginning of actuation makes it easier to rotate the pivot element, which reduces the effort required to actuate the locking device. Furthermore, at the end of actuation, reducing the lever arm reduces the range of motion required for the actuating element to rotate the pivot element through a predetermined range of motion, thus reducing the size of the locking device.

[0013] According to optional features of the invention, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:

[0014] - the lever arm between the point of contact and the pivot axis decreases from the locked position to unlocked position;

[0015] - the support surface is a curved surface and, parallel to the pivot plane, the bearing surface extends longitudinally between an inner end and an outer end, the distance between the inner end and the pivot axis being less than the distance between the outer end and the pivot axis, the inner end and the outer end being connected by a reference line and separated by a reference length;

[0016] - during the rotation of the pivoting element, the bearing surface is driven in rotation around the pivot axis, the contact point then moving along a contact line on the bearing surface, the contact line extending between the inner end and the outer end in a plane parallel to the pivot plane, the contact line including a convexity vertex, the contact point and the convexity vertex being coincident in the locked position;

[0017] - the convexity apex exhibits a longitudinal deviation from the point of internal reference, the longitudinal deviation being between 50% and 100% of the reference length, preferably between 60% and 90% of the reference length, and a transverse deviation from the internal reference point, the transverse deviation being between 2% and 30% of the reference length, preferably between 2% and 10% of the reference length;

[0018] - during rotation of the pivoting element, the contact point moves towards the inner end;

[0019] - the pivoting element further comprises a reinforcing element integral with the bearing surface and positioned opposite the actuating element, the reinforcing element advantageously being made of the same material as the bearing surface; and

[0020] - the locking device comprises a first locking element and a second locking element movable in translation in two locking directions along a locking direction between a locked position, in which the locking elements prevent the movement of the moving part and an unlocked position in which the locking elements allow the movement of the moving part, the pivoting element connecting the first and second locking elements, the pivoting element being movable in rotation about the pivoting axis so that, between the locked position and the unlocked position, a movement of the first locking element along the locking direction in one locking direction causes a movement of the second locking element along the locking direction in the opposite locking direction.

[0021] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a vehicle trim element comprising a body and a moving part, the moving part being movable relative to the body between a closed position and an open position, said trim element comprising a locking device as described above, the moving part being locked in the closed position when at least one locking element is in the locked position and being movable between the closed position and the open position when at least one locking element is in the unlocked position.

[0022] Optionally, the moving part is formed by a storage compartment, a drawer or a door allowing access to a storage space.

[0023] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a schematic perspective representation of a vehicle trim element comprising a locking device according to the invention, the moving part of the trim element being in a closed position;

[0025] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic top view representation of the locking device of [Fig.1], the locking elements being in the locked position;

[0026] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is an enlarged representation of zone III of [Fig.2], only the actuation element and the pivoting element being represented;

[0027] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a representation analogous to that of [Fig.3], in which the actuation element is in the actuation position;

[0028] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the bearing surface of the pivoting element and part of the actuation element.

[0029] A trim element 1 comprising a body 2 and a moving part 4 for a vehicle is described with reference to [Fig.1].

[0030] The trim element 1 is, for example, a dashboard, a center console, or another trim element for the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The body 2 is, for example, formed by a part to be fixed to a main part of this trim element as shown in [Fig. 1], or directly by the main part of the trim element 1.

[0031] The movable part 4 is, for example, formed by a storage compartment, a drawer, a door providing access to a storage volume in the body 2, or a retractable tray in the body 2. The movable part 4 is movable relative to the body 2 between a closed position ([Fig. 1]), in which the storage volume defined or formed by the movable part 4 is inaccessible, and an open, or deployed, position (not illustrated), in which the storage volume is accessible from outside the trim element 1. The movement of the movable part 4 between the closed position and the open position is, for example, a translational or rotational movement relative to the body 2.

[0032] The trim element 1 will now be described with reference to the trim element shown in [Fig. 1], in which the movable part 4 is a drawer that moves in translation relative to the body 2. It is understood, however, that the invention applies to any type of trim element as long as it comprises a body 2 and a movable part 4 that can be moved relative to the body 2.

[0033] With reference to [Fig. 2], the trim element 1 includes a locking device 6 arranged to hold the moving part 4 in the closed position. locked and to allow its movement from the open position to the unlocked position.

[0034] The locking device 6 comprises at least one locking element 10, 12, an actuating element 14, and a pivoting element 16 that is free to rotate about a pivot axis A-A'. The locking device 6 is, for example, mounted on a support, which may be formed by the body 2, by the moving part 4, or by an added part mounted on the body 2 or on the moving part 4. The description will be given with reference to a locking device 6 mounted on a support formed by the moving part 4 as shown in the figures.

[0035] In the embodiment described below, the locking device 6 comprises a first locking element 10 and a second locking element 12. According to another embodiment, the locking device 6 comprises only one between the first locking element 10 and the second locking element 12.

[0036] The first and second locking elements 10, 12 are translationally movable in two locking directions along a locking direction V between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking elements 10, 12 prevent the movement of the moving part 4, particularly from the closed position. In the unlocked position, the locking elements allow the movement of the moving part 4, particularly from the closed position. In other words, in the locked position, the locking elements 10, 12 ensure a fixation between the body 2 and the moving part 4, and in the unlocked position, the locking elements release the movement of the moving part 4 relative to the body 2.In other words, in the locked position and when the moving part 4 is in the closed position, the moving part 4 cannot move to the open position, and in the unlocked position, the moving part 4 can move to the open position, for example, when the moving part 4 is pulled by a user or due to gravity. Thus, the moving part 4 is locked in the closed position when the first and second locking elements 10, 12 are in the locked position and is mobile between the closed and open positions when the first and second locking elements 10, 12 are in the unlocked position.

[0037] The movement of the first locking element 10 between the locked and unlocked positions is in the opposite direction to the movement of the second locking element 12 between the locked and unlocked positions. In other words, from the locked position to the unlocked position, or conversely from the unlocked position to the locked position, the first locking element 10 is moved in a locking direction along the locking direction V and the second locking element 12 is moved in the opposite locking direction according to the locking direction V.

[0038] For example, the first locking element 10 is formed by a first locking arm 20 that is movable in translation in both locking directions along the locking direction V between the locked and unlocked positions. The first locking arm 20 extends primarily along the locking direction V. Advantageously, the first locking arm 20 includes at one end a first locking pin 22. The first locking pin 22 is movable along the locking direction V between the locked position, in which the first pin 22 is inserted into a locking orifice (not shown) provided in the body 2, thus preventing the movement of the movable part 4 relative to the body 2, and the unlocked position, in which the first pin 22 extends out of the locking orifice to allow the movement of the movable part 4.The locking orifice extends, for example, into a side wall of the body 2, and the first pin 22 is extracted from the locking orifice by pushing the first pin 22 away from the side wall.

[0039] As shown in [Fig. 2], the second locking element 12 is formed by a second locking arm 26. The second locking arm 26 is substantially similar to the first locking arm 20. Consequently, the second locking arm 26 extends primarily along the locking direction V. It includes a second locking pin 28 provided at one end of the second locking arm 26 and is movable in translation relative to the support along the locking direction V. The second locking pin 28 of the second locking arm 26 cooperates with a locking orifice extending in a side wall of the body 2 opposite the side wall comprising the locking orifice cooperating with the first locking pin 22 of the first locking arm 20.As will be described below, between the locked position and the unlocked position, a movement of the first locking element 10 along the locking direction V in one locking direction results in a movement of the second locking element 12 along the locking direction V in the opposite locking direction.

[0040] According to one variant, the locking device 6 is also adapted to lock the moving part 4 in the open position or in intermediate positions between the closed and open positions, for example by providing several locking holes in each of the side walls of the body 2, said locking holes being spaced from each other according to the direction of movement of the moving part 4.

[0041] As will be described below, the first and second locking elements 10, 12 are mounted mobile in rotation on the pivoting element 16 respectively around a first articulation axis B-B' and around a second articulation axis C-C'.

[0042] The actuating element 14 comprises an actuating arm 32 extending along an actuating direction A, different from the locking direction V and substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis A-A'. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the actuating direction A is substantially perpendicular to the locking direction V.

[0043] For example, the actuating element 14 includes an activation surface 34. The activation surface 34 is, for example, substantially perpendicular to the actuation direction A and extends over a visible surface of the trim element 1 so as to be accessible to a user from outside the trim element 1. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the activation surface 34 extends over a front face of the moving part 4. Alternatively, the activation surface 34 extends over a front face of the body 2 above the moving part 4. The activation surface 34 can be relatively large, for example several times the diameter of a user's finger, so that a user can easily actuate the actuating element 14 as will be described later.

[0044] The actuating arm 32 extends along the actuation direction A from the non-visible side of the activation surface 34 towards the locking elements 10, 12 and towards the pivoting element 16 to an end 36. As will be described later, the end 36 of the actuating arm 32 opposite the activation surface 34 is arranged to be in contact with the pivoting element 16 so that the movement of the actuating arm 32 is transmitted to the locking elements 10, 12 via the pivoting element 16. To this end, at the end 36 of the actuating arm 32, the actuating element 14 comprises an actuation surface 38 in contact with a bearing surface 44 of the pivoting element 16 at a point of contact C in a plane substantially parallel to a pivoting plane P substantially perpendicular to it. to the pivot axis A-A'.

[0045] The actuating element 14 is movable in translation along the actuation direction A such that its movement causes a corresponding movement of the locking elements 10, 12 along the locking direction V as will be described later. More specifically, the actuating element 14 is movable between a rest position (visible in [Fig. 1] to 3) and an actuation position (visible in [Fig. 4]) along the actuation direction A. In the rest position, the actuating element 14 is not actuated by a user and the locking elements 10, 12 are in the locked position. In the actuation position, a user presses on the activation surface 34 and the locking elements The locking elements 10 and 12 are moved to the unlocked position. As will be described later, when the actuating element 14 is moved from the rest position to the actuating position, the actuating surface 38 cooperates with the bearing surface 44 of the pivoting element 16 at the contact point C to cause the pivoting element 16 to rotate about the pivot axis A-A' and move the first and second locking elements 10 and 12 from the locked position to the unlocked position. For example, the displacement range of the actuating element 14 between the rest position and the actuating position, corresponding to the distance traveled by the actuating arm 32 between these positions, is between 2 mm and 20 mm, for example, approximately 5 mm.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the actuation element 14 is formed by a one-piece push button, as seen in [Fig. 1] and 2. By one-piece push button, it is understood that the actuation element 14 is made of a single piece of material and not of a plurality of pieces fixed to each other.

[0047] The actuation element 14 is mounted on the support so as to be movable in translation along the actuation direction A as described previously.

[0048] The pivoting element 16 is linked to at least one locking element 10, 12.

[0049] In the embodiment described here, the pivoting element 16 connects the first locking element 10 and the second locking element 12. It is arranged to transmit the movement from the first locking element 10 to the second locking element 12. More particularly, the pivoting element 16 is articulated at the ends of the first and second locking arms 20, 26, opposite respectively to the end comprising the first locking pin 22 and to the end comprising the second locking pin 28. The pivoting element 16 is mounted to rotate freely on the support around the pivot axis A-A', for example substantially perpendicular to the locking direction V.The first and second locking arms 20, 26 are specifically articulated to the pivot element 16 on either side of the pivot axis A-A', such that a movement of the first locking arm 20 in one locking direction causes the second locking arm 26 to move in the opposite locking direction via the rotation of the pivot element 16 around the pivot axis A-A'. Therefore, actuation of the first locking arm 20 to move its first locking pin 22 away from the corresponding locking orifice also causes the second locking arm 26 to move its second locking pin 28 away from the corresponding locking orifice. Thus, only one actuation is required to simultaneously place both locking arms 20, 26 in the unlocked position.

[0050] To this end, the pivoting element 16 comprises a body 42 extending in the pivot plane P substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis A-A' and a bearing surface 44 extending projecting from the body 32. Optionally, as illustrated in [Fig.2] to 4, the pivoting element 16 comprises a reinforcing element 46.

[0051] As will be described in more detail below, the pivoting element 16 is, in addition, in contact with the actuation element 14, in particular through the bearing surface 44.

[0052] The pivoting element 16 is arranged to convert a movement of the actuating element 14 along the actuation direction A between the rest position and the actuation position into a movement of the locking elements 10, 12 along the locking direction V between the locked position and the unlocked position. For this purpose, the pivoting element 16 is connected to the locking elements 10, 12 as described above and to the actuating element 14. The pivoting element 16 is free to rotate about the pivot axis A-A' substantially perpendicular to the locking direction V and the actuation direction A, such that a translation of the actuating element 14 along the actuation direction A causes a rotation of the pivoting element 16 about the pivot axis A-A', which in turn causes a translation of the locking elements 10, 12 along the locking direction V.More specifically, the pivoting element 16 is articulated to the first locking element 10 about the first articulation axis B-B' of the first locking element 10, substantially parallel to the pivoting axis A-A', and to the second locking element 12 about the second articulation axis C-C' of the second locking element 12, substantially parallel to the pivoting axis A-A'. The pivoting element 16 is also advantageously in contact with the actuating element 14, in particular via the bearing surface 44. As illustrated in the Figs. 2 to 4, the bearing surface 44 extends substantially perpendicularly to the pivot plane P. The pivot element 16 is mobile in rotation between a rest position (visible on [Fig.2] and 3, when the actuating element 14 is in the rest position and the locking elements 10, 12 are in the locked position, and a rotated position (visible on [Fig.4]), in which the actuating element 14 is in the actuated position and the locking elements 10, 12 are in the unlocked position. For example, the rotation range of the pivoting element 16 between the rest position and the rotated position is between 15° and 30°.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the pivoting element 16 is formed from a single piece element, that is to say that the pivoting element 16 is made from a piece of material and not from a plurality of pieces fixed to each other.

[0054] For example, the first and second axes of articulation B-B', C-C' are located in The periphery of the body 42 is aligned along the pivot plane P on either side of the pivot axis A-A'. As illustrated in [Fig. 2], in the rest position of the pivot element 16, the first and second pivot axes B-B', C-C' and the pivot axis A-A' are, for example, aligned along a line substantially parallel to the actuation direction A. When the pivot element moves from the rest position to the rotated position, the first and second pivot axes B-B', C-C' are rotated around the pivot axis A-A'. The first pivot axis B-B' is, for example, displaced away from the side wall of the body 2 in which the locking hole corresponding to the first pin 22 extends, and the second pivot axis C-C' is, for example, displaced away from the opposite side wall. Thus, each locking pin is moved away from the corresponding locking hole.

[0055] For example, the body 42 is formed by a plate extending in the pivot plane P and has a quadrilateral shape. Alternatively, the body 42 has a circular, triangular, or other shape. According to the example illustrated in [Fig. 2], the first and second articulation axes B-B', C-C' are arranged on the body 42 at two opposite corners of the quadrilateral formed by the body 42. In the case of a body 42 having a circular shape, the articulation axis A-A' is located at the center of the body 42, and the first and second articulation axes B-B', C-C' are diametrically opposite.

[0056] The support surface 44 advantageously extends substantially perpendicularly to the body 42, for example at another corner of the quadrilateral formed by the body 42.

[0057] When the actuating element 14 is moved from the rest position to the actuating position, the actuating element 14 applies an actuating force F to the pivoting element 16. In particular, the actuating force F is applied via the actuating surface 38 to the bearing surface 44 at the contact point C. The actuating force F is directed substantially parallel to the actuating direction A towards the bearing surface 44. The distance between the line of action of the actuating force F, passing through the contact point C, and the pivot axis A-A' forms a lever arm BL between the contact point C and the pivot axis A-A'.

[0058] At least one between the bearing surface 44 and the actuation surface 38 is a curved surface such that, when the actuation element 14 moves between the rest position and the actuation position, the contact point C moves by varying the lever arm BL between the contact point C and the pivot axis A-A'.

[0059] For example, according to the example illustrated in the figures, the lever arm BL between the contact point C and the pivot axis A-A' decreases from the locked position ( [Fig.3]) towards the unlocked position ([Fig.4]).

[0060] According to the example illustrated in the figures, the bearing surface 44 is a curved surface and the actuation surface 38 is a flat surface. Alternatively, the bearing surface 44 is flat and the actuation surface 38 is curved. In yet another alternative, both the bearing surface 44 and the actuation surface 38 are curved.

[0061] With reference to [Fig. 5], parallel to the pivot plane P, the bearing surface 44 extends longitudinally between an inner end 50 and an outer end 52. The distance between the inner end 50 and the pivot axis A-A' is less than the distance between the outer end 52 and the pivot axis A-A'. Thus, the inner end 50 is located between the outer end 52 and the pivot axis A-A'. The inner end 50 and the outer end 52 are connected by a reference line Ref and separated by a reference length Lref.

[0062] The reference line Ref and the pivot axis A-A' are separated by a lateral distance Dlat of between 0 mm and 10 mm. The lateral distance Dlat is measured in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis A-A' and the reference line Ref and corresponds to the minimum distance between the reference line Ref and the pivot axis A-A'. The bearing surface 44 is located between the actuating element 14 and the pivot axis A-A' in the direction perpendicular to the pivot axis A-A' and the reference line Ref.

[0063] During rotation of the pivoting element 16, the bearing surface 44 is rotated about the pivot axis A-A'. The contact point C then moves along a contact line LC on the bearing surface 44. The contact line LC extends between the inner end 50 and the outer end 52 in a plane parallel to the pivot plane P. The contact line includes a convexity vertex SC. As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 5], the contact point C and the convexity vertex SC advantageously coincide in the locked position. As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4], during rotation of the pivoting element, the contact point C moves towards the inner end 52.

[0064] With reference to [Fig.5], the convexity vertex SC has a longitudinal deviation EL from the internal reference point 50 and a transverse deviation ET from the internal reference point 50.

[0065] For example, the longitudinal deviation EL is between 50% and 100% of the reference length Lref, preferably between 60% and 90% of the reference length Lref.

[0066] For example, the transverse deviation ET is between 2% and 30% of the reference length Lref, preferably between 2% and 10% of the reference length Lref.

[0067] Thus, in the locked position, illustrated in [Fig. 3], the lever arm BL is between 10 mm and 20 mm. Such a lever arm BL is sufficiently large to facilitate the rotation of the pivoting element 16 around the pivoting axis A-A' without requiring significant effort from the user on the activation surface 34.

[0068] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], during the transition from the locked to the unlocked position, the contact point C moves progressively and substantially towards the pivot axis A-A', such that progressively, the same displacement amplitude of the actuating element 14 results in an increasing rotation amplitude of the pivoting element 16. Thus, even if the maximum displacement amplitude of the actuating element 14 is reduced, the maximum rotation amplitude of the pivoting element 16 remains significant. Since the movement amplitude of the actuating element 14 is limited, it is therefore possible to considerably reduce the size of the locking device 6. Thanks to the invention, although small, the movement amplitude of the actuating element 14 is sufficient to move the pivoting element 16 with the necessary rotation amplitude.

[0069] The reinforcing element 46 is integral with the bearing surface 44 and is arranged opposite the actuating element 14. As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and 4, the reinforcing element 46 is advantageously made of the same material as the bearing surface 44. The reinforcing element 46 is configured to strengthen the bearing surface 44 and limit its deformation when the actuating surface 38 of the actuating element cooperates with the bearing surface 44.

[0070] For example, the locking device 6 further comprises at least one constraint element 56 for holding the locking elements 10, 12 towards the locked position. For example, as shown in [Fig. 2], a constraint element 56 is arranged between at least one locking element 10, 12 and the support as shown in [Fig. 2]. More particularly, the constraint element 56 is a spring. The spring is extended when the locking elements 10, 12 are in the unlocked position and tends to return to its rest position corresponding to the locked position of the locking elements 10, 12.

[0071] Alternatively, a constraint element is arranged to constrain the actuating element 14 from its actuating position to its rest position. Alternatively, a constraint element is arranged to constrain the pivoting element 16 from its rotated position to its rest position.

[0072] Alternatively, the locking device 6 is mounted on a support formed by the body 2. The first locking pin 22 is movable along the locking direction V between the locked position, in which the first pin 22 is inserted into a locking orifice (not shown) provided in the moving part 4, thus preventing the movement of the moving part 4 relative to the body 2, and the unlocked position, in which the first pin 22 extends out of the locking orifice. Rusting to allow movement of the moving part 4. The locking orifice extends, for example, into a side wall of the moving part 4, and the first pin 22 is extracted from the locking orifice by pushing the first pin 22 away from the side wall

[0073] . Thanks to the invention, unlocking the moving part 4 is facilitated. In particular, rotating the pivoting element 16 and rotating this pivoting element 16 through a certain amplitude of rotation, necessary for unlocking, is facilitated. The locking device 6 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a large lever arm BL at the beginning of the actuation of the pivoting element 16, which facilitates its rotation, and a smaller lever arm BL at the end of the actuation, which makes it possible, with a minimum amplitude of movement of the actuation element, to obtain a satisfactory amplitude of rotation of the pivoting element 16.

Claims

Demands

1. A locking device (6) for a moving part (4) of a vehicle trim element (1), comprising: - at least one locking element (10,12) movable in translation in a locking direction along a locking direction (V) between a locked position, in which at least one locking element (10, 12) prevents the movement of the moving part (4) and an unlocked position in which at least one locking element (10, 12) allows the movement of the moving part (4); - a pivoting element (16) linked to at least one locking element (10, 12), the pivoting element (16) being mobile in rotation about a pivoting axis (A-A'), the pivoting element (16) comprising a body (42) extending in a pivoting plane (P) substantially perpendicular to the pivoting axis (A-A') and a bearing surface (44) extending in projection from the body (42); - an actuating element (14) comprising an actuating surface (38), in contact with the bearing surface (44) at a point of contact (C) in a plane substantially parallel to the pivot plane (P), the actuating element (14) being movable between a rest position and an actuating position along an actuating direction (A) substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis (A-A') so that, when the actuating element (14) is moved from the rest position to the actuating position, the actuating surface (38) cooperates with the bearing surface (44) at the point of contact (C) to cause the pivoting element (16) to rotate about the pivot axis (A-A') and move at least one locking element (10, 12) from the locked position to the unlocked position; characterized in that at least one of the bearing surfaces (44) and the actuating surface (38) is a curved surface such that, during the movement of the actuating element (14) between the rest position and the actuating position, the contact point (C) moves, varying the lever arm (BL) between the contact point (C) and the pivot axis (A-A'), the bearing surface (44) is a curved surface and, parallel to the pivot plane (P), the bearing surface (44) extends longitudinally between an inner end (50) and an outer end (52), the distance between the inner end (50) and the axis pivoting axis (A-A') being less than the distance between the outer end (52) and the pivot axis (A-A'), the inner end (50) and the outer end (52) being connected by a reference line (Ref) and separated by a reference length (Lref), during the rotation of the pivoting element (16), the bearing surface (44) is driven in rotation about the pivot axis (A-A'), the contact point (C) then moving along a contact line (LC) on the bearing surface (44), the contact line (LC) extending between the inner end (50) and the outer end (52) in a plane parallel to the pivot plane (P), the contact line (LC) including a convexity vertex (SC), the contact point (C) and the convexity vertex (SC) being coincident in the locked position.

2. Locking device (6) according to claim 1, wherein the lever arm (BL) between the contact point (C) and the pivot axis (A-A') decreases from the locked position to the unlocked position.

3. Locking device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the convexity apex (SC) has a longitudinal deviation (EL) from the internal reference point (50), the longitudinal deviation (EL) being between 50% and 100% of the reference length (Lref), preferably between 60% and 90% of the reference length (Lref), and a transverse deviation (ET) from the internal reference point (50), the transverse deviation (ET) being between 2% and 30% of the reference length (Lref), preferably between 2% and 10% of the reference length (Lref).

4. Locking device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, during rotation of the pivoting element (16), the contact point (C) moves towards the inner end (50).

5. Locking device (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting element (16) further comprises a reinforcing element (46) integral with the bearing surface (44) and disposed opposite the actuating element (14), the reinforcing element (46) advantageously being made of the same material as the bearing surface (44).

6. A locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first locking element (10) and a second locking element (12) movable in translation in two locking directions along a locking direction (V) between a locked position, in which the locking elements (10, 12) prevent the movement of the moving part (4) and an unlocked position in which the locking elements (10, 12) permit the movement of the moving part (4), the pivoting element (16) connecting the first and second locking elements (10, 12), the pivoting element (16) being mobile in rotation about the pivot axis (A-A') so that, between the locked position and the unlocked position, a movement of the first locking element (10) along the locking direction (V) in one locking direction causes a movement of the second locking element (12) along the locking direction (V) in the opposite locking direction.

7. A trim element (1) for a vehicle comprising a body (2) and a movable part (4), the movable part (4) being movable relative to the body (2) between a closed position and an open position, said trim element (1) comprising a locking device (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the movable part (4) being locked in the closed position when at least one locking element (10, 12) is in the locked position and being movable between the closed position and the open position when at least one locking element (10, 12) is in the unlocked position.

8. A trim element (1) according to claim 7, wherein the movable part (4) is formed by a storage compartment, a drawer or a door allowing access to a storage volume.

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