Hinge for motor vehicle door, and motor vehicle including such a hinge

Abstract

TITLE: HINGE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR, AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A HINGE. The present invention relates to a hinge (3) for a motor vehicle door, comprising a shaft (34) mounted pivotally relative to the vehicle chassis, two parallel connecting rods (35, 36), one end of which is assembled to the shaft (34) by pivot joints (351, 361) and the other end of which is assembled to the door by pivot joints (352, 362), the axes of the pivot joints being parallel to each other and forming, in a plane perpendicular to these axes, a deformable parallelogram. The hinge (3) comprises means for retaining the connecting rods (35, 36) in an angular position relative to the shaft (34), determined as a function of the angular position of the shaft (34) relative to the chassis. Abbreviated figure: Figure 10

Description

Title of the invention: HINGE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE DOOR, AND MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH A HINGE Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to motor vehicles.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to the linking mechanisms connecting the doors to a motor vehicle. Previous art

[0003] Motor vehicles generally have movable doors allowing access to the vehicle's passenger compartment, and allowing it to be closed.

[0004] These doors are connected to the vehicle chassis by means of a linkage mechanism, which is often a hinge with a substantially vertical axis. Such hinges are very common, and operating doors connected to a vehicle by these hinges is easy for users.

[0005] However, in some cases, opening a door connected to the vehicle chassis by such a hinge can cause inconveniences. This is the case, for example, when the vehicle chassis is particularly low. In such a situation, the door, which opens by rotating around a vertical axis, is very close to the ground and can sometimes collide with an obstacle, such as a curb.

[0006] Other types of vehicle door linkage mechanisms are also known. Some of these linkage mechanisms are specifically designed for so-called "butterfly" doors or "wing" doors, which can open by rotation around a horizontal axis. Sliding doors that can open by sliding, while remaining constantly parallel to the same plane, are also known. However, such door-to-vehicle linkage mechanisms are complex to manufacture, and their operation is difficult for users unfamiliar with them. Furthermore, the opening mechanisms of such doors are not compatible with all types or configurations of motor vehicles.

[0007] Objectives of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] In particular, the invention aims to provide a new type of door-to-motor vehicle linking mechanism that allows for a suitable movement of the door between its open and closed positions, different from the movements permitted by existing linking mechanisms. Description of the invention

[0010] These objectives, as well as others which will become clearer later, are achieved by means of a hinge for a motor vehicle door, suitable for connecting this door to the vehicle chassis, so that the door can move from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, this hinge comprising at least one element for fixing to the chassis and at least one element for fixing to the door, this hinge forming a joint comprising: - a shaft mounted to pivot relative to the chassis mounting element, around a hinge axis, - two parallel connecting rods, one end of each of these connecting rods being assembled by a pivot joint to the shaft and the other end of each of these connecting rods being assembled by another pivot joint to the door mounting element, the axes of these pivot joints being parallel to each other and forming, in a plane perpendicular to these axes of the pivot joints, a deformable parallelogram, and - means for maintaining the connecting rods in an angular position, relative to the shaft, determined according to the angular position of the shaft relative to the mounting element on the chassis.

[0011] Thus, this hinge advantageously forms an articulation allowing a rotation of the door fixing element relative to the chassis fixing element, around the hinge axis, combined with a translation of this door fixing element relative to the chassis fixing element, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

[0012] Advantageously, the means for retaining the connecting rods include at least one ramp attached to the frame mounting element, one of the connecting rods bearing against the ramp during the rotation of the shaft relative to the frame mounting element.

[0013] This ramp advantageously extends along a trajectory partially surrounding the hinge axis, while remaining at a constant distance from this hinge axis. The support of a connecting rod on the ramp advantageously allows for controlled variation, during the rotation of the shaft, of the shape of the deformable parallelogram formed by the shaft, the connecting rods, and the door attachment element, and thus for moving this door attachment element relative to the shaft in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting rod retaining means comprise two ramps, each integral with a frame mounting element, each connecting rod bearing against one of the ramps during the rotation of the shaft relative to the mounting element. fixing to the chassis, the support of one of the connecting rods on one of the first of the ramps, in a given angular position of the shaft relative to the element of fixing to the chassis, keeping the other of the connecting rods in support on the second of the ramps.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the connecting rods bears on one of the ramps by means of a roller mounted movable in rotation on the connecting rod and rolling on the ramp, during the rotation of the shaft relative to the frame attachment element.

[0016] The movement of the connecting rod, supported on the ramp, is thus facilitated, avoiding friction and wear.

[0017] Preferably, each of the connecting rods bears on one of the ramps by means of a roller mounted movable in rotation on the connecting rod and rolling on the ramp, during the rotation of the shaft relative to the frame attachment element.

[0018] Preferably, the ramp(s) have a predefined slope that varies progressively during the opening or closing movement.

[0019] Since this slope is variable, it allows the vertical movement speed of the door to vary during the closing or opening movement of the door.

[0020] Advantageously, the hinge includes at least one cylinder acting on one of the connecting rods.

[0021] Such a cylinder can, for example, constitute a spring, a shock absorber, or a cylinder for actuating the opening and / or closing of the door.

[0022] Advantageously, this cylinder is secured, by its lower end, to the mounting element to the chassis, and by its upper end to that of the connecting rod which is located highest.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle implementing at least one hinge as described above, controlling a vertical movement of the door, simultaneously with an opening or closing movement of the door, around a substantially vertical axis of rotation.

[0024] The invention further relates to a hinge for a motor vehicle door, suitable for connecting the door to the chassis of a vehicle, so that the door can move from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, this hinge comprising at least one fixing element to the chassis and at least one fixing element to the door, this hinge forming an articulation allowing a rotation of the fixing element to the door relative to the fixing element to the chassis, around a hinge axis, this rotation being combined with a translation of the fixing element to the door relative to the fixing element to the chassis, in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge axis.

[0025] Advantageously, this translation of the door attachment element relative to the chassis attachment element is correlated in a non-proportional way to the rotation of the door fixing element in relation to the chassis fixing element.

[0026] List of figures

[0027] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of simple figurative and non-limiting example, and accompanied by the figures, among which: - Fig. 1 is a partial side view of a motor vehicle with the front door closed. - Fig. 2 is a partial side view of the vehicle in Fig. 1 with the front door open. - Figure [Fig. 3] is a partial perspective view of the vehicle in Figure [Fig. 1], the The front door is closed. - Fig. 4 is a partial view of the vehicle in Fig. 3, the front door of which is partially open. - Figure 5 is a partial view of the vehicle in Figure 3, including the front door is open. - Fig. 6 is a top view of a door hinge in use in the vehicle of [Fig.1], in its position corresponding to the closing of the door. - Fig. 7 is a top view of the hinge of Fig. 6, in its position corresponding to the opening of the door. - Fig. 8 is a side view of the hinge of Fig. 6, in its position corresponding to the closing of the door. - Fig. 9 is a side view of the hinge of Fig. 6, in its position corresponding to the opening of the door. - Fig. 10 is another side view of the hinge in Fig. 6, in its position corresponding to the opening of the door. - Fig. 1 is a side view of detail showing part of the hinge represented by Fig. 6, in its position corresponding to the closing of the door. - Fig. 12 is a detailed side view showing part of the hinge represented by [Fig.6], in its position corresponding to the opening of the door. - Fig. 13 is another detailed side view showing part of the hinge represented by [Fig.6], in its position corresponding to the opening of the door. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0028] Figures 1 and 2 show the front part of a motor vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, in side view. This motor vehicle 1 has, Typically, a front door 2. In the configuration shown in [Fig. 1], this door 2 is in the closed position. In the configuration shown in [Fig. 2], this door 2 is in the open position. The transition of this door 2 from its closed position to its open position is achieved essentially by rotation around a substantially vertical axis of rotation 20, connecting the front edge of the door 2 to the chassis of the vehicle 1.

[0029] This movement of the door 2 between its closed and open positions is not, however, limited to a simple rotation around the axis of rotation 20. Indeed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the distance of the door 21 from the ground is greater in the open position than in the closed position, including at the axis of rotation 20. The movement of the door 2 between its closed and open positions, and vice versa, is therefore, according to the invention, a combined movement of rotation around the substantially horizontal axis 20 and translation along this axis 20.

[0030] Figures 3 to 5 show, in perspective, the motor vehicle 1 in which the front door 2 is in the closed position in [Fig. 3], in the partially open position in [Fig. 4], and in the open position in [Fig. 5]. It can be seen in these figures that the height of the door 2 relative to the ground varies very little between the closed position of the door 2 and its partially open position in [Fig. 4], and that, on the contrary, it increases significantly between the partially open position in [Fig. 4] and the fully open position in [Fig. 5].

[0031] During the opening or closing movement of the door 2, combining a rotation of the door, relative to the vehicle chassis, around the axis 20 and a translation of the door, relative to the vehicle chassis, along this axis 20, the translation movement is therefore not proportional to the angular displacement of the door around the axis 20.

[0032] Such a door opening mechanism is particularly advantageous. It allows the door 2 to be positioned further from the ground when fully open. This reduces the risk of the door colliding with an obstacle such as a curb.

[0033] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the door 2 opens by passing around a rearview mirror 11, which is fixedly attached to the chassis of the motor vehicle on the windshield pillar. More precisely, during its passage from its closed position shown in [Fig. 3] to its partially open position shown in [Fig. 4], the door 2 passes under the rearview mirror 11, which is fixed to the windshield pillar. This passage is possible because the height of the door 2 increases only very slightly between its closed position and its partially open position shown in [Fig. 4].

[0034] Finally, the movement of door 2 shown in Figures 1 to 5 is similar to the conventional opening movements of prior art vehicle doors, which involve a simple rotation around a substantially vertical axis. Users can therefore manipulate door 2 very easily, sometimes even without realizing that its opening mechanism differs from that of prior art vehicle doors.

[0035] The connection between the vehicle chassis and the door is made by a linkage mechanism constituting a joint allowing the door to rotate around an axis, combined with the translation of this door along the same axis. In the present description of the invention, this linkage mechanism is designated by the term "hinge," even though it differs from the door hinges of the prior art, which only allow simple rotation of the door, without translation.

[0036] Figures 6 to 10 represent such a hinge 3 according to a possible embodiment of the invention. This hinge 3 comprises a lower anchoring piece 31 and an upper anchoring piece 32, which form chassis attachment elements intended to be fixedly connected to the chassis of the vehicle 1. It also comprises a support plate 33, which forms a door attachment element intended to be fixedly connected to the door 2 of the vehicle.

[0037] Figures 6 and 7 show the hinge 3, respectively in its closed position corresponding to the closure of the vehicle door and in its open position corresponding to the opening of the vehicle door, in a top view, along a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis 30 of this hinge. As shown in this figure, the support plate 33 rotates around this axis 20 between the closed and open positions of the hinge.

[0038] Figures 8 and 9 show the hinge 3, respectively in its closed position corresponding to the closure of the vehicle door and in its open position corresponding to the opening of the vehicle door, viewed from the side, in a plane substantially parallel to the axis 30 of this hinge. As shown in this figure, the support plate 33 undergoes a translational movement parallel to the axis 30 between the closed and open positions of the hinge, while simultaneously rotating about this axis 30.

[0039] The lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32 of the hinge 3 carry a shaft 34 which is mounted pivotally relative to the anchoring parts 31 and 32, around an axis of rotation which corresponds to the axis 30 of the hinge 3. For this purpose, the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32 have coaxial bearings into which the two ends of the shaft 34 are inserted.

[0040] The hinge 3 also comprises two connecting rods of identical length, the upper connecting rod 35 and the lower connecting rod 36. A first end of the upper connecting rod 35 is connected to the shaft 34 by a pivot joint 351, with an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis 30 of rotation, and located near the upper anchor piece 32. A first end of the lower connecting rod 36 is connected to the shaft 34 by a pivot joint 361, with an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the pivot joint 361, and located near the upper anchor piece 32.

[0041] The second ends of each of these upper connecting rods 35 and lower connecting rods 36 are connected to the plate 33 via pivot joints, respectively 352 and 362, whose axes are parallel to those of the pivot joints 351 and 361 of the first ends of the connecting rods. The positions of the pivot joints 351 and 361 between the connecting rods 35 and 36 and the shaft 34 and of the pivot joints 352 and 362 between the connecting rods 35 and 36 and the plate 33 are chosen such that the axes of rotation of these four pivot joints form, in a plane perpendicular to these axes of rotation, a parallelogram.

[0042] The assembly formed by the shaft 34, the plate 33 and the two connecting rods 35 and 36 thus forms a deformable parallelogram allowing the plate 33 to move, relative to the shaft 34, according to a translational movement, the plane defined by the axes of the pivot joints 351 and 361 between the shaft 34 and the connecting rods 35 and 36 remaining parallel to the plane defined by the axes of the pivot joints 352 and 362 between the plate 33 and the connecting rods 35 and 36.

[0043] The translation of the plate 33 relative to the shaft 34 is not a perfectly rectilinear translational movement, but a circular translation over a limited angular range. For small deformation movements of the deformable parallelogram, for example when the connecting rods form angles between 70° and 110° with the shaft 34, this translation is, however, very close to a rectilinear translation. It is therefore described hereafter as a rectilinear translation.

[0044] The hinge 3 therefore allows the plate 33 to move, relative to the anchoring parts 31 and 32, by rotation around the axis 30 and by a movement that can be likened to a translational movement in a direction parallel to this same axis 30.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 3 also includes a spring-loaded actuator 37, mounted between the lower anchor piece 31 and the upper connecting rod 35. This spring-loaded actuator 37 assists certain phases of the door's movement relative to the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the hinge also includes a flexible sheath 38, one end of which is connected to the mounting plate 33 and the other end of which is suitable for assembly with the structure of the vehicle 1. This flexible sheath 38, which allows the passage of cable between the structure of the vehicle 1 and the door 2, is deformable and does not affect the movement of the door 2 relative to the vehicle 1.

[0046] The shape of the deformable parallelogram formed by the shaft 34, the plate 33 and the two connecting rods 35 and 36 is advantageously determined as a function of the angular position of the shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32, and therefore with respect to the chassis of vehicle 1. This means that this deformable parallelogram is constrained to take a unique shape for each angular position of the shaft 34 with respect to the chassis of vehicle 1. As a result, the door 2 takes a height position, with respect to the chassis of vehicle 1, which is unique and predetermined for each opening angle of the door.

[0047] To achieve this determination of the shape of the deformable parallelogram, means are used to hold the upper connecting rods 35 and lower connecting rods 36, in an angular position which varies according to the angular position of the shaft 34 with respect to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32.

[0048] These retaining means comprise, in the embodiment shown in the figures, two ramps 311 and 321, respectively attached to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32. The lower connecting rod 36 and the upper connecting rod 35 bear, respectively, on these ramps 311 and 321, during the rotation of this shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32. This support has the effect of maintaining the lower connecting rod 36 and the upper connecting rod 35 at a determined angular position, relative to the shaft 34, for each angular position of the shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring parts 31 and upper anchoring parts 32.

[0049] The ramp 311, supported by the lower anchor piece 31, is clearly visible in the detail views of figures 11, 12 and 13. The ramp 321, supported by the upper anchor piece 32, is similar.

[0050] In practice, during the rotation of this shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring members 31 and upper anchoring members 32, the ramp 321 remains in sliding contact with the top of the upper connecting rod 35, while the ramp 311 remains in sliding contact with the bottom of the lower connecting rod 36. The contact of each of these ramps with its associated connecting rod therefore prevents the other connecting rod from moving away from its associated ramp. The contacts of these two ramps with the connecting rods thus constrain the deformable parallelogram formed by the shaft 34, the plate 33, and the two connecting rods 35 and 36 to a single position, which can vary during the rotation of the shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring members 31 and upper anchoring members 32.

[0051] The ramps 311 and 321 advantageously extend at a constant distance from the axis 30, over the entire angular range corresponding to the movement between the opening position and the closing position of the hinge 3. Each of these ramps thus provides support, permanently, to the same area of ​​the connecting rod associated with it.

[0052] Advantageously, each of the upper connecting rods 35 and lower connecting rods 36 is equipped with a roller, 353 and 363 respectively, mounted for rotation on the connecting rod and which, during the rotation of the shaft 34 relative to the lower anchoring members 31 and upper anchoring members 32, rolls on the ramp associated with the connecting rod. Such a roller ensures that the connecting rod bears on the ramp in a way that generates very little friction, and is only very little subject to wear and tear.

[0053] Advantageously, the two ramps 311 and 321 have complementary shapes, which vary according to their angular position, around the axis 30. These ramps 311 and 321 thus have predefined slopes varying progressively, which allow a progressive vertical movement of the plate 33, and therefore of the door 2, during its rotation around the axis 30.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, these slopes of the ramps 311 and 321 are more or less steep depending on their angular position around the axis 30. The vertical movement speed of the plate 33 is therefore not proportional to its rotational speed around the axis 30. On the contrary, this vertical movement can be slow in certain angular areas, for example when the door is close to its closed position, and faster in other angular areas, for example when the door is close to its open position.

[0055] For example, the radius of the ramp's slope can be small at the beginning of the opening, to quickly move the door upwards during the first part of the opening, in particular so that door 2 passes over a curb, and then is larger, or even infinite, to complete the opening of door 2. Conversely, according to another approach, it is possible to provide a large radius at the beginning of the opening, with door 2 moving only slightly at first, and then a smaller radius at the end of the opening, so that door 2 can give the impression of turning around a rearview mirror, if the latter is fixed relative to the windshield pillar.

[0056] In other embodiments, it is also possible to implement more complex ramp shapes, optionally including one or more recesses to define door stopping positions in an intermediate open position. Conversely, in a simple approach, the ramp slope can be constant.

[0057] In the embodiments shown, the ramp consists of a simple track on which the rollers carried by the connecting rods can roll. It is also possible, in other embodiments, for the ramp to form a guide rail on which a suitable wheel can roll.

Claims

Demands

1. Hinge (3) for a motor vehicle door, suitable for connecting said door (2) to the chassis of said vehicle (1), so that said door (2) can move from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, said hinge (3) comprising at least one element for attaching to the chassis (31, 32) and at least one element for attaching to the door (33), characterized in that said hinge (3) forms a joint comprising: - a shaft (34) mounted to pivot about a hinge axis (30) relative to said chassis mounting element (31, 32), - two parallel connecting rods (35, 36), one end of each of said connecting rods (35, 36) being assembled by a pivot joint (351, 361) to said shaft (34) and a second end of each of said connecting rods (35, 36) being assembled by another pivot joint (352, 362) to said door mounting element (33), the axes of said pivot joints (351, 361, 352, 362) being parallel to each other and forming, in a plane perpendicular to said axes of said pivot joints (351, 361, 352, 362), a deformable parallelogram, and - means for maintaining said connecting rods (35, 36) in an angular position, relative to said shaft (34), determined according to the angular position of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis fixing element (31, 32), comprising at least one ramp (311, 321) integral with said chassis fixing element (31, 32), having a predefined slope, one of said connecting rods (35, 36) bearing on said ramp (311, 321), by means of a roller (353, 363) mounted movably in rotation on said connecting rod (35, 36) and rolling on said ramp (311, 321), during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said chassis fixing element (31, 32).

2. Hinge according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for retaining said connecting rods (35, 36) comprise two ramps (311, 321), each integral with said or one of said frame attachment elements (31, 32), each of said connecting rods (35, 36) bearing on one of said ramps (311, 321) during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said frame attachment element (31, 32), the support of one of said connecting rods (35, 36) on a first of said ramps (311, 321), in a given angular position of said shaft (34) relative to said frame attachment element (31, 32), maintaining the other of said connecting rods (35, 36) in support on the second of said ramps (311, 321).

3. Hinge according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each of said connecting rods (35, 36) bears on one of said ramps (311, 321) by means of a roller (353, 363) mounted movably in rotation on said connecting rod (35, 36) and rolling on said ramp (311, 321), during the rotation of said shaft (34) relative to said frame attachment element (31, 32).

4. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said predefined slope varies progressively during said opening or closing movement.

5. Hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one cylinder (37) acting on one of said connecting rods (35, 36).

6. Hinge according to claim 5, characterized in that said cylinder (37) is secured, by its lower end, to said fixing element to the chassis (31, 32), and by its upper end to that of said connecting rods (35, 36) which is located highest.

7. Motor vehicle (1) employing at least one hinge (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, controlling a vertical movement of said door (2), simultaneously with an opening or closing movement of the latter, around a substantially vertical axis of rotation (20).

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