Access device including a gull-wing door
The access device with a robust wing door and stop mechanism addresses the manufacturing complexity and fragility of elytron doors by using metal and plastic abutment surfaces to securely hold the door open, enhancing durability and reducing noise.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022011344
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-31
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-31
AI Technical Summary
Elytron doors in motor vehicles are complex to manufacture and fragile, making them prone to damage in the open position.
An access device with a robust wing door featuring a stop mechanism comprising two abutment surfaces, one on the door and one on the door frame, to securely hold the door in the open position, and assistance means to facilitate movement, using metal and plastic materials for enhanced durability and reduced noise.
The solution provides a robust and simple-to-manufacture wing door that withstands longitudinal, vertical, and transverse forces without damaging articulation or assistance means, ensuring reliable operation and aesthetic integrity.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Access device comprising a gull-wing door Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to an access device for a motor vehicle, the access device comprising a so-called "elytron" door. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an access device. State of the prior art
[0002] To access the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, most motor vehicles include a door that can move around a vertical axis or a sliding door. However, access devices are known that include a so-called "elytron" door, i.e. one that can rotate around a transverse axis of the vehicle. In the closed position, the elytron doors close an access opening to the passenger compartment. In the open position, they adopt a position pivoted about a quarter turn upwards around the transverse axis. The elytron doors thus have original and attractive kinematics and offer the advantage of providing a wide opening for entering or exiting the passenger compartment. For example, the Lamborghini Countach® includes such doors.
[0003] However, elytron doors are complex to manufacture and are particularly fragile. In particular, they can easily be damaged when in the open position. Presentation of the invention
[0004] The aim of the invention is to provide an access device comprising a wing door remedying the above drawbacks and improving the access devices known from the prior art.
[0005] More specifically, a first object of the invention is an access device comprising a wing door which is particularly robust and simple to manufacture. Summary of the invention
[0006] The invention relates to an access device for a motor vehicle, comprising a door, a door frame delimiting an access opening, the door being movable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position, the door being connected to the door frame by an articulation means in rotation about a transverse axis, substantially perpendicular to the access opening, the access device further comprising a stop means distinct from the articulation means, the stop means comprising a first stop surface integral with the door and a second stop surface integral with the door frame, the second stop surface being intended to cooperate with the first stop surface to define the open position of the door.
[0007] The second stop surface may be arranged on a second stop element attached to a windshield bay pillar and / or to a door stretcher of the door frame.
[0008] The first stop surface may be arranged on a first stop element fixed to an inner face of the door, along a lower edge of the door.
[0009] The first stop surface may be made of metal. The second stop surface may be made of plastic material, in particular polyamide.
[0010] The stop means may be positioned at a distance greater than or equal to 10 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 cm, in particular greater than or equal to 30 cm from said transverse axis.
[0011] The stop means may comprise a first retaining surface secured to the door and a second retaining surface secured to the door frame and intended to cooperate with the first retaining surface to support a force parallel to the transverse axis applied to the door in the open position.
[0012] The door may comprise a handle, the handle comprising a gripping surface distinct from the first stop surface and allowing the door to be opened from inside the vehicle, the handle being fixed to a stop element on which the first stop surface is formed or the handle and a stop element on which the first stop surface is formed forming a single-piece assembly.
[0013] The access device may further comprise an assistance means distinct from the stop means, the assistance means being configured to assist an opening and / or closing movement of the door.
[0014] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising an access device as defined previously.
[0015] The vehicle may include a front seat for a front passenger and a rear seat for a rear passenger, the access opening of the access device being configured to access the front seat and the rear seat. Presentation of figures
[0016] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:
[0017] [Fig.l] is a side view of a motor vehicle equipped with an access device according to one embodiment of the invention, a door of the access device being in the closed position.
[0018] [Fig.2] is a side view of the vehicle of [Fig.l], the door being in an intermediate position between a closed position and an open position.
[0019] [Fig.3] is a side view of the vehicle of [Fig.l], with the door in the open position.
[0020] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a means of articulation of the access device.
[0021] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the access device.
[0022] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a second stop element of the device access.
[0023] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a first stop element of the access device. Detailed description
[0024] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 1 comprising an access device 2 according to one embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a passenger compartment provided with at least one seat. This passenger compartment is accessible from outside the vehicle by means of the access device 2. According to the embodiment presented, the vehicle 1 comprises a single front seat and a single rear seat (not shown). It is therefore a relatively light and compact vehicle, mainly intended for urban use. Alternatively, the vehicle 1 could have any other number of seats. The vehicle 1 may comprise a single access device to the passenger compartment or two access devices arranged substantially symmetrically on each side of the vehicle, or even a larger number of access devices 2. The access device 2 allows access to both a front seat and a rear seat.Vehicle 1 can be, for example, a private vehicle, a utility vehicle, or even a truck.
[0025] In this document, the longitudinal direction X is defined as the direction in which the vehicle 1 is traveling in a straight line in the direction of reverse. The transverse direction Y is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and oriented from right to left, depending on the driver's point of view. The vertical direction Z is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, perpendicular to the transverse direction Y, and oriented from bottom to top. It is assumed that the vehicle is resting on horizontal ground.
[0026] The access device 2 comprises a door 3 and a door frame 4 delimiting an access opening 5. The door frame 4 comprises a rigid structure, in particular formed by body elements of the vehicle. In particular, the door frame 4 comprises a first portion formed by a windshield bay pillar 6. The windshield bay pillar 6 is a body element laterally framing a windshield of the vehicle. It extends obliquely upwards and towards the rear of the vehicle. The door frame 4 comprises a second portion, in the extension of the first portion, formed by a door stretcher 7. The door stretcher 7 is a body element body extending parallel to the longitudinal direction and forming an edge of the roof of the vehicle 1. The door frame 4 may then comprise a third portion, adjacent to the second portion, extending substantially vertically to the rear of the access opening 5. A fourth portion of the door frame, adjacent to the third portion, forms part of a floor of the vehicle. A fifth portion of the door frame, adjacent to the fourth portion and to the first portion, extends substantially vertically at the level of an apron of the vehicle. Thus, the door frame 4 may be formed by five adjacent portions, connected to each other. Generally speaking, the door frame 4 forms a rigid and robust structure, capable of preventing or limiting deformations of the passenger compartment in the event of an accident.In particular, the windshield bay pillar 6 and the door stretcher 7 are particularly rigid body elements because they protect the user of the vehicle against intrusions in the event of a frontal or side impact.
[0027] The access opening 5 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction X and to the vertical direction Z. The door 3 is movable relative to the door frame 4 between an open position and a closed position. More particularly, the door is a so-called “elytron” door. It is connected to the door frame 4 by an articulation means 8 rotating about a transverse axis Y1. A first type of said articulation means 8 is shown in [Fig. 5], an alternative embodiment being shown in [Fig. 4]. The transverse axis Y1 is substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y and therefore perpendicular to the access opening 5. The transverse axis Y1 can be positioned at the front of the door frame 4, for example substantially at an intersection between the fifth portion and the first portion described above.The transverse axis Y1 may be parallel to the transverse direction Y or form a slight angle with the transverse direction Y, preferably an angle less than or equal to 30°, or even less than or equal to 20°, or even less than or equal to 10°. The inclination component of the Y1 axis depends on the design and the architectural constraints of the vehicle. The inclination of the Y1 axis aims to clear the sealing line during the movement of the door, in particular the points of contact between the door and the sealing line located above the YL axis.
[0028] [Fig.l] illustrates the vehicle 1 with the door 3 in the closed position. The door then closes the access opening 5. [Fig.2] illustrates the vehicle 1 with the door 3 in an intermediate position between its closed position and its open position. [Fig.3] illustrates the vehicle 1 with the door 3 in the open position. The door then adopts a forwardly pivoted position, so as to completely or almost completely clear the access opening 5. Between its closed position and its open position, the door 3 can rotate between 60° and 180°, preferably between 90° and 150°. As can be seen in [Fig.3], a small part of the door 3 can still be located opposite the access opening 5, in particular at the level of a steering wheel of the vehicle, when the door is in the open position.
[0029] The articulation means 8 is illustrated in particular in [Fig. 4]. It comprises a first element 9A fixed to the door 3, and a second element 9B fixed to the door frame 4. The first element 9A and the second element 9B are assembled according to a pivot connection around the transverse axis Yl. Thus, the articulation means 8 comprises a single degree of freedom in rotation around the transverse axis YL. The kinematics of the door 3 between its open position and its closed position does not include any translational movement and is therefore particularly simple. The articulation means is not provided with an electrical assistance means. However, without departing from the scope of the invention, the articulation means could be in relation to an electrical assistance device for operation. Thus, the door 3 is intended to be manually manipulated between its open position and its closed position.The articulation means 8 is devoid of a stop limiting the amplitude of rotation of the door 3 relative to the door frame 4.
[0030] The movement of the door 3 from its closed position to its open position is accompanied by a modification of the height of its center of gravity. To help a user of the vehicle 1 to open or close the door without effort, the access device preferably comprises an assistance means 13 such as a jack equipped with an elastic means in order to limit the maneuvering forces. As visible in [Fig.5], the jack may comprise a first end fixed to the door and a second end fixed to the door frame. The assistance means 13 may exert a force on the door which tends to move it towards its open position, so as to counterbalance a rise in the center of gravity of the door.
[0031] The access device 2 further comprises a stop means 10 separate from the articulation means 8 and separate from the assistance means 13. The stop means 10 is formed by two mating stop surfaces intended to bear against each other to define the open position of the door 3. The stop means 10 thus comprises a first stop surface 11 secured to the door 3 and a second stop surface 12 secured to the frame 4 of the body forming the door frame.
[0032] More specifically, the first stop surface 11 is arranged on a first stop element 14 fixed on an inner face of the door, along a lower edge of the door. The inner face of the door designates the face of the door facing the interior of the vehicle, i.e. towards the passenger compartment. This face is notably visible in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The first stop element 14 is shown in more detail in [Fig.7]. More specifically, the first stop element 14 can be fixed on a lower front quarter of the inner face of the door. Such an area of the door is particularly rigid and does not have to be specifically reinforced to accommodate a stop surface. The first stop element 14 is preferably fixed to a rigid part of the door such as a structural part and not to a flexible part such as a trim part.
[0033] The second stop surface 12 is arranged on a second stop element 15 fixed to the windshield bay pillar 6. The second stop element 15 is notably visible in [Fig. 6]. Alternatively or in addition, the second stop element 15 could also be fixed to the door stretcher 7. The second stop surface 12 is thus integral with a particularly rigid and solid part of the vehicle. It is not necessary to reinforce the body element on which the second stop surface is arranged.
[0034] The first stop element 14 and the second stop element 15 may be screwed, riveted, welded or fixed by any other equivalent means respectively to the door frame and to the door.
[0035] As the stop means 10 is distinct from the articulation means 8, the door 3 is held particularly robustly in the open position. For example, with reference to [Fig. 3], if a force F1 is exerted from top to bottom on the door 3 in the open position at its end furthest from the transverse axis Y1, then this force is mainly supported by the stop means 10 and not by the articulation means 8 or by the assistance means 13. The forces supported by the articulation means 8 or by the assistance means 13 are greatly reduced, which makes it possible to preserve them. The stop means 10 also makes it possible to support a longitudinal force F2 exerted on the door in the open position, and more generally any force exerted on the door in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction X and to the vertical direction Z, and which would tend to open the door further.Such efforts could be exerted by the assistance cylinder, by involuntary support from a user or by vandalism.
[0036] According to one embodiment, the first stop surface 11 is made of metal, and the second stop surface 12 is made of plastic material, in particular polyamide. In particular, the first stop element 14 may be formed by a stamped metal element, or in other words a folded metal sheet. According to an alternative embodiment, the first stop element 14 may be produced by molding. The second stop element 15 may be manufactured by plastic injection. Alternatively, it is the first stop surface which could be made of plastic material, and the second stop surface of metal. The combination of a metal surface and a plastic surface makes it possible to obtain a stop means which is both sufficiently rigid and not noisy during contact between the two stop surfaces. The polyamide advantageously has a high rigidity. Alternatively, the two stop surfaces 11, 12 could both be made of plastic material or metal.However, if both . Since the abutment surfaces are made of metal, the contact of the two metal surfaces against each other can be noisy and these surfaces can scratch more easily, which can affect the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[0037] Preferably, the stop means 10 is positioned at a distance greater than or equal to 10 cm, or even greater than or equal to 20 cm, or even greater than or equal to 30 cm from the transverse axis Y1. The distance separating the stop means 10 from the transverse axis Y1 can be chosen to be as large as possible while respecting the constraints of positioning the stop surfaces 11 and 12, in particular aesthetic and functional constraints. Increasing the distance separating the stop means from the transverse axis Y1 makes it possible to further improve the robustness of the door being held in the open position.
[0038] The distance separating the two stop surfaces 11 and 12 from each other, when the door is in the closed position, can also be greater than or equal to several tens of centimeters.
[0039] According to another aspect of the invention, the stop means further comprises a first retaining surface 16 secured to the door 3, and a second retaining surface 17 secured to the door frame 4. When the door is in the open position, the two retaining surfaces 16 and 17 are positioned against each other or at a short distance from each other so as to form a retaining of the door in the transverse direction Y. With reference to [Fig. 3], if a transverse force F3 is exerted from left to right or from right to left on the door 3 in the open position, then this force is mainly supported by the support of the first retaining surface 16 against the second retaining surface 17, and not by the articulation means 8 or by the assistance means 13. The forces supported by the articulation means 8 or by the assistance means 13 are greatly reduced, which makes it possible to permanently preserve their operational state in limiting their wear.On average, a functional clearance of a few millimeters can be provided between the first retaining surface 16 and the second retaining surface 17 when the door is in the open position, so as to guarantee an absence of interference between these two surfaces while taking into account manufacturing tolerances.
[0040] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the door 3 may comprise a handle (not shown) comprising a gripping surface distinct from the first stop surface 11. The gripping surface allows a user to exert a force on the door to open or close it from inside the vehicle. Thus, a user of the vehicle will not seek to place his hand on the first stop surface 11 to open the door and will not risk trapping his hand between the two stop surfaces 11 and 12. The handle may for example be fixed to the stop element 14 on which the first stop surface 11 is formed. Alternatively, the handle and the stop element 14 on which the first stop surface 11 is formed may form a single-piece assembly. The door may, for example, comprise a handrail comprising a gripping surface forming the handle and connected to the door by two uprights at each end of the gripping surface. One of these uprights may then comprise the first stop surface.
[0041] Finally, thanks to the invention, a vehicle 1 is provided equipped with a particularly robust elytron door. In the open position, the door is capable of withstanding longitudinal, vertical or transverse forces without risking damage to its articulation means or its assistance means. The stop surfaces 11, 12 are arranged on already very rigid parts of the door and the door frame, and which therefore do not need to be reinforced.
Claims
Claims
1. Access device (2) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a door (3), a door frame (4) delimiting an access opening (5), the door being movable relative to the door frame between an open position and a closed position, the door being connected to the door frame by an articulation means (8) rotating about a transverse axis (Y 1), substantially perpendicular to the access opening, characterized in that it comprises a stop means (10) separate from the articulation means, the stop means comprising a first stop surface (11) integral with the door and a second stop surface (12) integral with the door frame, the second stop surface being intended to cooperate with the first stop surface to define the open position of the door.
2. Access device (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second stop surface (12) is arranged on a second stop element (15) fixed to a windshield bay pillar (6) and / or to a door stretcher (7) of the door frame (4).
3. Access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first stop surface (11) is arranged on a first stop element (14) fixed on an internal face of the door (3), along a lower edge of the door.
4. Access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first stop surface (11) is made of metal, and / or in that the second stop surface (12) is made of plastic material, in particular polyamide.
5. Access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop means (10) is positioned at a distance greater than or equal to 10 cm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 cm, in particular greater than or equal to 30 cm from said transverse axis (Y 1).
6. Access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop means (10) comprises a first retaining surface (16) integral with the door (3) and a second retaining surface (17) integral with the door frame and intended to cooperate with the first retaining surface to support a force parallel to the transverse axis applied to the door in the open position.
7. Access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door (3) comprises a handle, the handle comprising a gripping surface distinct from the first stop surface (11) and allowing the door to be opened from inside the vehicle, the handle being fixed to a stop element on which the first stop surface is formed or the handle and a stop element on which the first stop surface is formed forming a single-piece assembly.
8. Access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an assistance means (13) separate from the stop means (10), the assistance means being configured to assist an opening and / or closing movement of the door.
9. Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that it comprises an access device (2) according to one of the preceding claims.
10. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim characterized in that it comprises a front seat for a front passenger and a rear seat for a rear passenger, the access opening (5) of the access device (2) being configured to access the front seat and the rear seat.