Sliding door retaining device

Abstract

Title of the invention: Sliding door retention device. The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising a foot (6) connecting a floor to a roof of the vehicle (1), a sliding door (8), and a retention device (12) for the sliding door (8) in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the sliding door (8) extends principally. The sliding door (8) has a clearance (36) at least partially delimited by a retention face (44) of the sliding door (8). The retention device (12) is integral with the foot (6) and comprises a hinged lever (18). The retention device (12) is configured to assume a first position in which the hinged lever (18) is aligned with the retention face (44) and a second position in which the hinged lever (18) is at least partially retracted into the foot (6). Abstract figure: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Retaining device for a sliding opening

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sliding openings for motor vehicles, and more particularly to the field of retention systems for such sliding openings.

[0002] Certain motor vehicles, in particular commercial motor vehicles, include a sliding opening, such an opening being able to be arranged on one side only or on both sides of a body of the vehicle.

[0003] The sliding doors of vehicles are subject to regulations relating to their resistance to stress, failure to comply with the requirements of these regulations prevents type approval of the vehicles.

[0004] In particular, UNR11 regulations require sliding doors to withstand a thrust force distributed at two points of application of 900 daN, i.e., a cumulative thrust force of 1800 daN. Such a thrust force is applied here perpendicularly to a plane in which the sliding door mainly extends, this thrust force being exerted from inside the vehicle.

[0005] In order to comply with this regulation, sliding doors must be robustly attached to the body of the vehicles they equip, particularly when closed. Retaining elements can ensure such a connection, thus preventing the sliding door from being excessively deformed or even detached from the vehicle body.

[0006] For certain types of sliding doors, and more specifically for sliding doors with a movement kinematics only in a direction parallel to a main direction of vehicle extension, this particular kinematics prevents the installation of fixed and solid retention elements which could hinder the movement of the sliding door.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a retention device which makes it possible to meet the requirements of the UNR11 regulation without hindering the kinematics of the sliding opening.

[0008] The present invention thus relates primarily to a motor vehicle comprising a foot connecting a floor to a roof of the vehicle, a sliding door and a device for retaining the sliding door in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the sliding door extends principally, the sliding door having a clearance at least partially delimited by a retention face of the sliding door, the retention device being integral with the foot and comprising an articulated lever, the retention device being configured to assume a first position in which the articulated lever is aligned with the retention face and a second position in which the articulated lever is at least partially retracted into the foot.

[0009] The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a body whose floor and roof are connected by a support leg, for example, a central support leg of the vehicle. The vehicle also comprises a sliding panel along the body, this sliding panel being able to be alternately in an open or closed state. The vehicle is equipped with a retaining device that connects the sliding panel to the support leg, this retaining device being designed to hold the sliding panel when thrust forces are applied perpendicularly to it. In particular, the retaining device prevents deformation of the sliding panel beyond the recommendations prescribed by UNR11 regulations under the application of such thrust forces, and, a fortiori, prevents its separation from the vehicle body.

[0010] The retaining device is movable between a first position and a second position, which correspond respectively to a closed and an open state of the sliding door. In the first position, the articulated lever of the retaining device is extended so as to be aligned with the articulated face. It is in this first position that the sliding door is retained in the event of perpendicular pushing forces. Conversely, in the second position, the articulated lever is at least partially folded so as to be at least partially retracted into the foot. The articulated lever is considered retracted, at least partially, as soon as it is no longer substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the sliding door extends primarily. The foot has a recess into which the articulated lever can be retracted to facilitate its folding.The retractable design of the retaining device addresses compactness issues and also allows for unobstructed movement of the sliding door. The retaining device is attached to the base rather than the sliding door itself, so as not to disrupt the door's structure by occupying a groove in it.

[0011] According to a feature of the invention, in the second position the articulated lever is offset relative to the retention face.

[0012] Here, "offset" means that the articulated lever is no longer aligned with the retention face. In other words, the articulated lever extends along an axis that is intersecting, but not perpendicular to, a plane in which the retention face primarily extends.

[0013] According to another feature of the invention, in the first position of the retaining device, there is a non-zero clearance between the retaining face and the articulated lever.

[0014] In this first position, the articulated lever and the retention face are therefore not in contact with each other. This clearance between these two elements ensures that the sliding door can move from its closed to its open state or vice versa without resistance from the retention device or the retention face.

[0015] According to one feature, in the first position of the retaining device, the articulated lever is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the sliding opening mainly extends.

[0016] In this first position, and as previously mentioned, the articulated lever is therefore unfolded. Such an deployment is optimal for retaining the sliding door if pushing forces are exerted perpendicularly to this sliding door.

[0017] According to a feature of the invention, in the first position of the restraint device, the clearance is arranged opposite the foot.

[0018] Such an arrangement facilitates the positioning of the articulated lever, which is attached to the foot, directly opposite the retention face that helps to define the clearance. Furthermore, it ensures that the restraint device remains hidden from view by a user of the motor vehicle, thus meeting aesthetic criteria.

[0019] According to one feature, the foot includes a housing, the retaining device being fixed within the housing by means of a screed, the articulated lever being articulated relative to the screed.

[0020] In the first position, the housing is positioned opposite the clearance. The retaining device is secured to the foot within this housing by means of a bracket which is connected to the articulated lever so as to allow rotation of this articulated lever.

[0021] According to another feature of the invention, the clevis includes a locking element against which the articulated lever rests in the first position of the retaining device.

[0022] Such a locking element acts as a stop for the articulated lever and restricts its movement. In particular, the locking element keeps the articulated lever perpendicular to the plane of the sliding door.

[0023] According to one feature, the retaining device includes a roller disposed at a free end of the articulated lever, this roller being in contact with the sliding opening both in the first position of the retaining device and in its second position.

[0024] The articulated lever has a first end fixed to the foot, and a second end opposite it which is free. This second free end carries a roller, which rolls along the sliding door as it moves from its closed to its open state and vice versa. The roller is thus in contact with the clearance in the first position of the retaining device, and in contact with an internal wall of the sliding door in the second position of this retaining device. The roller guides the articulated lever within the clearance of the sliding door. It also prevents any aggressive contact between the articulated lever and the sliding door.

[0025] According to one feature, a return mechanism brings the restraint device back into its first position.

[0026] This return element is, for example, a spring. The return element connects the articulated lever to the clevis; it is thus positioned opposite the locking element, so that the return element and the locking element are each located on one side of the articulated lever. The return element allows the retaining device to return to its initial position when no force is generated by the sliding door.

[0027] According to one feature of the invention, the retention face is carried by a retention member attached to the sliding opening and having a fork shape.

[0028] Such a fork shape allows for a balancing of forces when a pushing force is exerted against the sliding opening.

[0029] According to another feature of the invention, the sliding door passes from an open state to a closed state by sliding in a plane parallel to a main direction of vehicle extension.

[0030] In other words, the sliding door slides only in a direction parallel to a main direction of extension of the vehicle.

[0031] According to another feature, the vehicle includes a first rail attached to the floor and a second rail attached to the roof along which the sliding door slides, the clearance being arranged in a median portion between these two rails.

[0032] It is thus understood that these rails are arranged at the ends of the sliding door in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle rests. The arrangement of the clearance in a central portion of the sliding door allows, since in the first position the articulated lever of the retaining device extends at least partially within this clearance, the sliding door to be retained equidistant from the rails. Such an arrangement is therefore optimal for retaining the sliding door.

[0033] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and the illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the accompanying drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates, schematically, a motor vehicle according to the invention in cross-sectional view;

[0035] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a retention device for a sliding opening of the vehicle of [Fig.1], this sliding opening being in a closed state;

[0036] [Fig.3] illustrates, schematically, the retaining device of the sliding opening of [Fig.2], this sliding opening being in a first open state;

[0037] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the retaining device for the sliding opening of [Fig.2], this sliding opening being in a second open state;

[0038] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates the retaining device for the sliding opening of the [Fig.2] when a lateral force is exerted on this sliding opening;

[0039] [Fig.6] illustrates, schematically, a side view of the sliding door of [Fig.2], this sliding door being seen from inside the vehicle.

[0040] The features, variants, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be conceived comprising only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other described features, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0041] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0042] In the detailed description that follows, the terms "longitudinal," "transverse," and "vertical" refer to the orientation of a motor vehicle according to the invention. A longitudinal direction corresponds to a principal direction of extension of the vehicle, this longitudinal direction being parallel to a longitudinal axis L of a frame of reference L, V, T illustrated in the figures. A vertical direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the ground on which the vehicle rests, this vertical direction being parallel to a vertical axis V of the frame of reference L, V, T, and this vertical axis V being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Finally, a transverse direction corresponds to a direction parallel to a transverse axis T of the frame of reference L, V, T, this transverse axis T being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L and to the vertical axis V.

[0043] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a portion of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, this motor vehicle 1 having a principal direction of extension corresponding to a longitudinal direction L. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a body 2 within which legs 4, 6 connect a floor of the motor vehicle 1 to a roof of the vehicle. The body 2 has, more specifically, a first leg 4, here a front leg, and a second leg 6, here a middle leg. It is understood that the second leg 6 is positioned further back in the motor vehicle 1 than the first leg 4.

[0044] This second foot 6 is arranged in continuity with one side of the body 2. On the contrary, the first foot 4 is offset from this side of the body 2. The first foot 4 is more particularly arranged towards an outside of the motor vehicle 1; it is thus understood that it protrudes from a plane in which the side of the body 2 extends mainly.

[0045] The motor vehicle 1 includes a sliding opening 8 which extends principally Payment is made along a longitudinal-vertical plane. This sliding door 8 is positioned along and overlaps the frame 2. The sliding door 8 moves from an open state to a closed state by sliding in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction L; in other words, the sliding door 8 moves from its open state to its closed state and vice versa by sliding along the frame 2. The sliding door 8 is configured here to move from the open state to the closed state, or from the closed state to the open state, without requiring a translation along a transverse direction T. Such a transition from the open state to the closed state and vice versa is thus effected respectively by a translation along a first direction SI and by a translation along a second direction S2, these first and second directions SI, S2 being parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0046] The translation of the sliding door 8 is facilitated, whether in the first direction SI or in the second direction S2, by the presence of rails arranged on the body 2 of the motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 thus has a first rail fixed to its floor and a second rail fixed to its roof, the sliding door 8 translating simultaneously along this first rail and this second rail. It is understood that a first vertical end of the sliding door 8 is inserted into the first rail, while a second vertical end of this sliding door 8 cooperates with the second rail.

[0047] In its closed state, which is that illustrated in [Fig. 1], the sliding door 8 is positioned opposite the second leg 6 in the transverse direction T. The sliding door 8 is, in this closed state, against the first leg 4. The sliding door 8 is held in its closed state by means of a locking device 10, for example a bolt, which prevents the sliding door 8 from moving in the longitudinal direction L.

[0048] The motor vehicle 1 is equipped with a restraint device 12, which has the role of preventing excessive deformation of the sliding door 8 when thrust forces are exerted on it perpendicular to the longitudinal-vertical plane in which it extends, that is to say when thrust forces are exerted on it in the transverse direction T and more particularly from inside the motor vehicle 1. Such a restraint device 12 will now be described in more detail in relation to figures 2 to 6.

[0049] Figures 2 to 5 show different degrees of opening of the sliding door 8, while [Fig.6] is a side view of this sliding door 8. The sliding door 8 is more precisely in its closed state in [Fig.2], and in its open state in Figures 3 and 4.

[0050] The restraint device 12 is integral with the second leg 6. This second leg 6 more specifically comprises a housing 14 provided within it, this housing 14 forming a recess in the second foot 6. The retaining device 12 is fixed to a back wall of the housing 14 by means of a screed 16. This screed 16 is contained here within the housing 14, so that it does not protrude from the second foot 6.

[0051] The retaining device 12 comprises a hinged lever 18, which extends between a fixed end 20 and a free end 22 opposite this fixed end 20. The fixed end 20 of the hinged lever 18 is integral with the yoke 16. The hinged lever 18 has, at this fixed end 20, a first hinge 24 which allows it to rotate relative to the yoke 16. Such rotation is blocked, when the hinged lever 18 rotates relative to the yoke 16 in a first direction of rotation, by a locking element 26 of the yoke 16. This locking element 26 therefore constitutes a stop for the hinged lever 18 in this first direction of rotation.More specifically, the locking element 26 forms a stop so that the articulated lever 18 is blocked from rotating in the first direction of rotation beyond a position in which it is perpendicular to the second foot 6 and to the longitudinal-vertical plane of the sliding door 8.

[0052] The locking element 26 is located on one side of the articulated lever 18, which is opposite the front of the motor vehicle 1, which is here a first side. On a second side opposite the first side, that is, on one side of the articulated lever 18 opposite the rear of the motor vehicle 1, the restraint device 12 has a return member 28. It is thus understood that the return member 28 and the locking element 26 are located on either side of the articulated lever 18 along the longitudinal direction L. This return member 28 is, for example, a spring that extends between the articulated lever 18 and the yoke 16. The return member 28 can be in a rest configuration in which it is relaxed and a working configuration in which it is compressed, or, in the case of a spring, in which it is compressed.In its rest configuration, the return member 28 exerts a push against the articulated lever 18 so as to press it against the locking element 26.

[0053] As mentioned above, the articulated lever 18 has a fixed end 20 and a free end 22. This free end 22 carries a roller 30 which is configured to roll along the sliding door 8, according to a mechanism which will be explained later.

[0054] Between the fixed end 20 and the free end 22, the articulated lever 18 has a second joint 32. Unlike the first joint 24, which allows rotation of the articulated lever 18 relative to the yoke 16, the second joint 32 is not configured to allow rotation; it is fixed, so as to form a bend within the articulated lever 18. This second joint 32 carries a retaining element 34 of the retaining device 12. This retaining element 34 has a substantially cylindrical in shape, its principal extension direction being parallel to the vertical direction V as shown in [Fig. 6]. The retaining element 34 extends here on both sides of the articulated lever 18 along the vertical direction V, but without departing from the scope of the invention, embodiments could be considered in which the retaining element 34 extends only on one side of the articulated lever 18 along this vertical direction V.

[0055] The sliding door 8 includes a clearance 36, which is a clearance of material within the interior of the sliding door 8. This clearance 36 extends from an internal wall 38 of the sliding door 8 delimiting it in the transverse direction T, that is to say, a wall of this sliding door 8 facing the body 2 of the motor vehicle 1. The clearance 36 is, as particularly illustrated in [Fig. 6], arranged in a central portion 40 of the sliding door 8 in the vertical direction. This central portion 40 is thus arranged substantially equidistant from the first and second rails along which the sliding door 8 translates.

[0056] The sliding door 8 further includes a retaining element 42 which corresponds to a portion of structural sheet metal. This retaining element 42 extends along the inner wall 38 and at least partially closes the opening 36 longitudinally and vertically, as can be seen in [Fig. 6]. According to this view, the retaining element 42 has a fork shape; in other words, this retaining element 42 comprises a recess bordered by two notches in the vertical direction V. This recess is dimensioned to receive the articulated lever 18, which is then inserted at least partially between the two notches.

[0057] The retention element 42 is delimited transversely by a retention face 44 and an opposite face 46, the retention face 44 being opposite the opening 36 while the opposite face 46 is opposite the housing 2. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the retention face 44 is not flat. It thus presents a depression 48, one shape of which is complementary to the cylindrical shape of the retention element 34. In the absence of force exerted on the sliding door 8, there is a non-zero clearance between the depression 48 and the retention element 34 carried by the articulated lever 18. It is therefore understood that the retention face 44 is at a distance from the articulated lever 18.

[0058] As previously mentioned, the retaining device 12 cooperates with the sliding door 8 to retain it when a pushing force is exerted from inside the motor vehicle 1, perpendicular to the longitudinal-vertical plane of this sliding door 8. Under such a pushing force, illustrated in [Fig. 5] by an arrow, the sliding door 8 deforms. The retaining device 12 limits this deformation of the sliding door 8, and even more so its separation from the body 2 of the motor vehicle. To this end, the retaining element 34 The retaining element 34 comes into contact with the depression 48; this retaining element 34 then abuts against the retaining face 44. Extending on either side of the articulated lever 18, the retaining element 34 is held by each of the notches bordering the recess in which the articulated lever 18 is inserted. The fork-like shape of the retaining element 42 allows for stress distribution. Such a retaining mechanism prevents excessive deformation of the sliding door 8 and ensures that it remains attached to the body 2 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0059] In the absence of a pushing force, the retaining device 12 must not impede the sliding of the sash, that is, its transition from the closed to the open state and vice versa. The retaining device 12 is retractable into the second leg 6 for this purpose, according to a mechanism that will now be described.

[0060] The retaining device 12 is configured to take a first position, visible in figures 1, 2, 5 and 6, and a second position illustrated in figures 3 and 4. The retaining device 12 is thus in its first position when the sliding door 8 is in its closed state, while the retaining device 12 is in its second position when the sliding door 8 is in its open state.

[0061] In the closed state of the sliding door and therefore in the first position of the retaining device 12, the clearance 36 of this sliding door 8 is arranged opposite the second leg 6, and more precisely opposite the housing 14 provided in this second leg 6.

[0062] In this first position, the articulated lever 18 is aligned with the retention face 44. In other words, the articulated lever 18 is then substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal-vertical plane of the sliding door 8. The retention device 12 is held in its first position by means of the return member 28 which, in its rest configuration, pushes the articulated lever 18 against the locking element 26.

[0063] The retaining device 12 moves from its first position to its second position by sliding the sliding door 8. The retaining device 12 is in its second position when the articulated lever 18 is at least partially retracted into the housing 14 of the second leg 6, that is, when it is no longer substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal-vertical plane of the sliding door 8. It follows that in the second position of the retaining device 12, the articulated lever 18 is offset from the retention face 44 and is no longer aligned with it. The return element 28 is then in its working configuration.

[0064] In the second position of the retaining device 12, the articulated lever 18 is increasingly retracted within the housing 14 as the sliding door 8 opens, as can be seen with respect to the different degrees of opening of this sliding door 8 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Conversely, to move from the From the second position to the first position of the retaining device 12, the articulated lever 18 gradually extends out of the housing 14 of the second foot 6, until it is aligned with the retaining face 44. Such a transition from the second position to the first position is facilitated by the presence of the return member 28, which returns the articulated lever 18 to the perpendicular position when moving from its working configuration to its resting configuration.

[0065] Whether in the first or second position of the retaining device 12, the roller 30 carried by the free end 22 of the articulated lever 18 is in contact with the sliding door 8. This roller 30 is particularly in contact with a back wall 50 of the clearance 36 in the first position of the retaining device 12, while in its second position it is either in contact with this back wall 50 as illustrated in [Fig. 3], or in contact with the inner wall 38 of the sliding door 8 as shown in [Fig. 4]. Such contact between the roller 30 and the sliding door 8 prevents any aggressive contact between the retaining device 12 and the sliding door 8.

[0066] The present invention thus proposes a retaining device for a sliding opening which meets the standards in force in terms of resistance to pushing forces, without hindering the kinematics of the sliding opening.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the means and configurations described and illustrated herein and also extends to any equivalent means and configuration as well as to any technically operative combination of such means.

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a foot (4, 6) connecting a floor to a roof of the vehicle (1), a sliding door (8) and a retaining device (12) for the sliding door (8) in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the sliding door (8) extends principally, the sliding door (8) having a clearance (36) at least partly delimited by a retention face (44) of the sliding door (8), the retaining device (12) being integral with the foot (4, 6) and comprising an articulated lever (18), the retaining device (12) being configured to assume a first position in which the articulated lever (18) is aligned with the retention face (44) and a second position in which the articulated lever (18) is at least partially retracted into the foot (4, 6),the retaining device (12) being movable between the first position and the second position which correspond respectively to a closed state of the sliding door (8) and to an open state thereof, a non-zero clearance existing between the retaining face (44) and the articulated lever (18) in the first position of the retaining device (12).

2. Motor vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein in the second position the articulated lever (18) is offset from the retention face (44).

3. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the first position of the restraint device (12), the articulated lever (18) is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the sliding opening (8) mainly extends.

4. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the first position of the restraint device (12), the clearance (36) is disposed opposite the foot (4, 6).

5. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot (4, 6) comprises a housing (14), the retaining device (12) being fixed within the housing (14) by means of a clevis (16), the articulated lever (18) being articulated relative to the clevis (16).

6. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the yoke (16) includes a locking element (26) against which rests the articulated lever (18) in the first position of the retaining device (12).

7. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the device of retainer (12) includes a roller (30) disposed at a free end (22) of the articulated lever (18), this roller (30) being in contact with the sliding opening (8) both in the first position of the retaining device (12) and in its second position.

8. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a return member (28) returns the restraint device (12) to its first position.

9. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding door (8) changes from an open state to a closed state by sliding in a plane parallel to a principal direction of elongation of the vehicle (1).

10. Motor vehicle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a first rail attached to the floor and a second rail attached to the roof along which the sliding door (8) slides, the clearance (36) being arranged in a median portion (40) between these two rails.

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