Body assembly including a retractable door restraint device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023002505
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-03-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-21
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-03-17
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Body assembly comprising a retractable door retaining device
[0001] The present invention relates to a bodywork assembly of the type comprising at least one wall, defining an internal surface, intended to delimit a storage space, and an external surface, opposite the internal surface, and at least one door movable relative to the wall between a closed position, in which an internal surface of the door closes at least part of the storage space, and an open position, in which an external surface of the door), opposite the internal surface of the door, extends opposite the external surface of the wall, the bodywork assembly further comprising a device for retaining the door in the open position, said retaining device comprising:
[0002] - a retaining element mounted in the side wall,
[0003] - a locking head mounted in the door, said locking head comprising a pin locking member cooperating, in a retaining configuration, with the retaining member in a locking position of the locking pin and in the open position of the door to maintain the door in the open position.
[0004] The invention applies for example to a body assembly for a utility vehicle for the transport of goods, such as a truck or a van, for example a refrigerated truck for the transport of perishable goods. The invention also applies to trailers or semi-trailers and to boxes defining a non-movable storage space comprising at least one side wall and a door.
[0005] Loading and unloading of goods into and from a storage space is generally carried out by opening an access door to the storage space and placing it along a side wall delimiting the storage space, in order to free up the greatest possible access to the storage space and in order to reduce the footprint of the door in the open position.
[0006] To limit the risks of the door moving inadvertently towards its closed position, for example under the effect of the wind or, in the case of a vehicle, when the vehicle is moving while the door remains open, it is known to provide a device for retaining the door in the open position, this device immobilizing the door against the side wall against which the door is folded. Indeed, if the door moves involuntarily towards the closed position, it risks in particular injuring the person or persons accessing the storage space of the vehicle or any person nearby.
[0007] Several types of retaining devices are known. Mechanical cooperation can thus be provided between the bodywork or the body of the vehicle and the door in the position of the door. For example, a latch system can be installed between the side wall and the door. However, such a system is not very robust and is not very practical to use because it must be operated by passing the hand between the side wall and the door. A deployable lever system arranged to bear against the internal surface of the door in the open position thereof is also known. However, such a system is bulky and may in particular interfere with other elements arranged under the body of the vehicle. In addition, the deployment and storage of the lever requires several movements, making this system not very ergonomic and not very hygienic, these movements being carried out in an external area of the vehicle which is likely to be polluted.Other mechanical systems are known but they have similar disadvantages to those mentioned above and include elements extending outwardly from the wall and / or the door. Such protruding elements are problematic in that they increase the overall dimensions of the bodywork assembly and in that they form snagging points that may hinder or even injure people moving around the bodywork assembly. In addition, in order for the vehicle to comply with the regulations, the presence of protruding elements outside the vehicle is detrimental to the interior volume of the vehicle, which reduces the available storage space. In addition, these elements are exposed outside the vehicle and are likely to accumulate dirt and thus dirty an operator operating these elements.
[0008] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a bodywork assembly comprising a space-saving door retaining device outside the bodywork assembly while providing robust retention of the door in the open position.
[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a bodywork assembly of the aforementioned type, in which the locking pin is movable in translation relative to the door in an actuation direction, substantially perpendicular to the internal surface and to the external surface of the door, between the locking position, in which at least a portion of the locking pin projects from the external surface of the door in the actuation direction, and a retracted position, in which the locking pin is contained between the internal surface and the external surface of the door.
[0010] The retaining device according to the invention does not comprise an element extending projecting outside the bodywork assembly when the locking pin is in the retracted position, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the retaining device when the door is in its closed position and thus not to encroach on the vehicle's dimensions to the detriment of the storage space and to limit the risks of fouling. of the retaining device. When the locking pin is in its locking position, it extends outside the door but into the side wall leaving a small gap between the door and the side wall, which also limits the exposure of the retaining device to the environment outside the body assembly and limits the bulk and wind resistance of the door in the open position. In addition, the locking pin can easily be actuated by an operator from the side of the internal surface of the door so that this actuation does not require gripping a polluted area of the door, which makes the use of the retaining device more ergonomic and hygienic.
[0011] The bodywork assembly according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, considered alone or in any technically conceivable combination:
[0012] - the retaining element comprises at least one elastically deformable branch between a cooperation position, in which said branch is engaged in a groove of the locking pin in the retaining configuration to prevent the movement of the locking pin in the actuation direction relative to the retaining element, and a passage position, in which the branch allows the movement of the locking pin in the actuation direction relative to the retaining element;
[0013] - the branch is forced towards the cooperation position;
[0014] - the set comprises two branches engaged in their cooperative position in two grooves of the locking pin in the retaining configuration, the two branches moving away from each other when passing from the cooperation position to the passage position;
[0015] - the locking pin comprises a substantially frustoconical actuating surface arranged to move the branch of the retaining element between the cooperation position and the passage position when the locking pin is moved in the actuation direction relative to the retaining element to engage the locking pin in the retaining element;
[0016] - the locking pin is movable in rotation around an axis extending along the direction of actuation between the locking position, in which the groove extends opposite the branch of the retaining element in the retaining configuration, and an unlocking position, in which the locking pin moves the branch into its passage position;
[0017] - the retaining device comprises a constraining rotational constraining element the locking pin rotating from its unlocking position to its locking position;
[0018] - the retaining device comprises a translational constraint element constraining the blocking pawn in translation from its blocking position to its position retracted;
[0019] - the rotational constraint element and the translational constraint element are formed by the same helical spring;
[0020] - the retaining device comprises a gripping element allowing the operator to move the locking pin in translation between the retracted position and the locking position, said gripping element being actuable from the side of the internal surface of the door;
[0021] - the gripping element further allows an operator to move the pin from rotation lock between the lock position and the unlock position.
[0022] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:
[0023] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a set of bodywork according to the invention according to a longitudinal and transverse section plane,
[0024] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the front of the side wall and of the door of the body assembly comprising the retaining device according to the invention,
[0025] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic representation in section along the III-III axis of [Fig.l] of a portion of the retaining device mounted in the door of the body assembly, the locking pin being in the retracted position,
[0026] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is an exploded schematic representation of the part of the retaining device of [Fig.3],
[0027] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a schematic representation in section along the VV axis of the [Fig.3] of the part of the retaining device of [Fig.3],
[0028] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a schematic representation in exploded perspective of a other part of the retaining device mounted in the side wall of the body assembly,
[0029] [Fig.7] - [Fig.7] is a schematic representation in cutaway perspective of the retaining device in the retaining configuration, and
[0030] [Fig.8] - [Fig.8] is a schematic representation in cutaway perspective of the locking pin moving the retaining element into the passage position.
[0031] In the description, the terms "longitudinal", "transverse" and "elevation" are defined according to the usual directions of a vehicle, the term "longitudinal" referring to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the term "transverse" referring to the width of the vehicle and the term "elevation" referring to the height of the vehicle.
[0032] With reference to [Fig.l], a bodywork assembly 1 is described comprising at least one side wall 2 and a door 4. As indicated previously, the invention applies for example to a utility vehicle comprising such a bodywork assembly. Although the invention can be applied to all openings of the vehicle, such as the rear doors 6 shown in [Fig.l], the invention is more particularly adapted to a side door 4 provided to close an opening 8 in the side wall 2, as will be described in more detail later.
[0033] The side wall 2 extends mainly in the longitudinal direction, corresponding to the length of the side wall 2 and in the elevation direction, corresponding to the height of the side wall 2 and has a thickness in the transverse direction. The side wall 2 comprises an inner surface 10 and an outer surface 12 each extending in the longitudinal direction and the elevation direction. The thickness of the side wall 2 is defined as the distance separating the inner surface 10 from the outer surface 12. In the case of a utility vehicle or the like, the inner surface 10 of the side wall delimits a portion of a storage space 14 and the outer surface 12 extends from the outer side of the storage space 14 opposite the inner surface 10.
[0034] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the storage space is closed by two side walls 2 in the transverse direction, by a floor and a ceiling (not shown) in the elevation direction and by a transverse wall 16 joining the side walls 2 and one or two rear doors 6 in the longitudinal direction. It is understood that the architecture of the body assembly may be different. Thus, for example, instead of the rear doors 6 shown in [Fig.l], the storage space could be closed by a rear wall, a tailgate, a sectional door, such as a curtain, or other.
[0035] The opening 8 passes through the side wall from the outer surface 12 to the inner surface 10 and provides access to the storage space 14 via one side of the vehicle.
[0036] The door 4 is mounted to be movable in rotation on and relative to the side wall 2 comprising the opening 8 between a closed position in which the door 4 closes the storage space 14, and an open position, in which the door 4 releases access to the storage space 14 by passing through the opening 8. In known manner, the axis of rotation extends in the direction of elevation between an edge of the opening 8 and a corresponding edge of the door 4. In [Fig.l], the door 4 has been shown in solid lines in an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position and in dotted lines in the open position. In the closed position, the door 4 extends substantially in the continuity of the side wall 2 and, in the open position, the door 4 extends substantially parallel to the side wall 2 and against the external surface 12 of the side wall 2, as shown in dotted lines in [Fig.l].It is understood that the body assembly 1 may comprise several side doors 4, for example one per side wall 2.
[0037] The or each door 4 comprises an internal surface 18, delimiting the space of storage 14 in the closed position, and an external surface 20, opposite the internal surface 18, and facing towards the outside of the vehicle in the closed position.
[0038] As indicated previously, it is understood that the invention described below applies to the or each side door 4 and / or to one or each rear door 6 or to a storage space closed by a door comprising several leaves, as will be mentioned later. The invention being identical for each door and the associated side wall 2, the description will only be made for the door 4 shown in [Fig.l] and the side wall 2 on which this door 4 is mounted.
[0039] A retaining device is provided between the door 4 and the associated side wall 2 to hold the door 4 in the open position against the side wall 2.
[0040] The retaining device mainly comprises a receiving part 22 mounted in the side wall 2 and a locking head 24 mounted in the door 4.
[0041] By mounted in the door, it is meant that the locking head 24 extends between the internal surface 18 and the external surface 20 of the door 4.
[0042] The locking head 24 comprises in particular a movable locking pin 26. The locking head 24 further comprises a gripping element 28 making it possible to move the locking pin 26 and a receiving housing 30 for the locking pin 26 and the gripping element 28.
[0043] In the direction from the internal surface 18 to the external surface 20 of the door 4, the locking pin 26 extends in an actuation direction A between an internal end 32 and an external end 34. The actuation direction A is substantially perpendicular to the internal surface 18 and to the external surface 20 of the door 4 and corresponds for example to the transverse direction of the bodywork assembly 1 when the door 4 is in the closed position in the case of a side door. The inner end 32 of the locking pin 26 extends between the inner surface 18 and the outer surface 20 of the door 4 and is, relative to the outer end 34, closer to the inner surface 18. The outer end 34 extends in the vicinity of the outer surface 20 of the door 4, and is for example substantially flush with the outer surface 20 in a retracted position of the locking pin 26, as shown in [Fig.3] and as will be described in more detail later.
[0044] From the inner end 32 to the outer end 34, the locking pin 26 comprises a mounting portion 36 and a locking portion comprising at least one groove 38 and an actuating surface 40.
[0045] The mounting part 36 is mounted on the gripping element 28 and is for example formed by a cylinder comprising two flats, the axis of which extends in the actuation direction A, introduced into a housing 42 of substantially complementary shape to the gripping element 28. To secure the locking pin 26 to the gripping element 28, a pin 44 is for example arranged to pass through the housing 42 and the mounting part 36.
[0046] The locking portion is formed by a substantially cylindrical section substantially coaxial with the mounting portion 36. The locking portion is connected to the mounting portion 36 by a shoulder 45 extending projecting from the mounting portion 36 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the actuation direction A.
[0047] The groove 38 is formed by a notch extending substantially perpendicular to the actuation direction A in the locking portion, the locking portion having a reduced diameter at the groove 38. In other words, the groove 38 forms a recess in the locking portion of the locking pin 26, as more particularly visible in Figs. 4 and 7. According to one embodiment, the locking portion comprises two grooves 38 substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis of the locking portion and extending on either side of this axis, as more particularly visible in [Fig.4].
[0048] The actuating surface 40 extends in the actuation direction A from the groove(s) 38 to the outer end 34. The actuating surface 40 has a substantially frustoconical shape whose axis extends in the actuation direction, the diameter of the actuating surface 40 decreasing progressively from the groove(s) 38 to the outer end 34.
[0049] As will be described in more detail later, the locking pin 26 is movable in translation in the actuation direction A relative to the door 4 and the receiving housing 30 between a retracted position, shown in [Fig. 3], and a locking position, shown in [Fig. 7]. In the retracted position, the locking pin 26 extends substantially inside the door 4, i.e. the entire locking pin 26 extends between the inner surface 18 and the outer surface 20 of the door 4. In other words, in the retracted position, the locking pin 26 extends within the thickness of the door 4 and is contained between the inner surface 18 and the outer surface 20 of the door 4. As indicated previously, the outer end 34 of the locking pin 26 is for example substantially flush with the outer surface 20 of the door 4 in the retracted position.In the locking position, the actuating portion of the locking pin 26 projects from the external surface 20 of the door 4 in the actuation direction A. In other words, in the locking position, the actuating portion of the locking pin 26 extends outside the door 4 on the side of the external surface thereof.
[0050] The gripping element 28 is integral with the locking pin 26 and in particular allows an operator to move the locking pin 26 from its retracted position to its locking position. In the direction from the inner surface 18 to the outer surface 20, the gripping element 28 extends in the actuation direction A between a surface actuating surface 43 and the housing 42 described above. The actuating surface 43 extends on the side of the internal surface 18 of the door 4 and is for example substantially flush with the internal surface 18 in the retracted position of the locking pin 26, as shown in [Fig. 3]. The actuating surface 43 is for example shaped to be handled ergonomically by an operator. For this purpose, the actuating surface 43 may comprise one or more indentations 46, visible in [Fig. 7], allowing an operator to grasp the gripping element 28 to actuate it, as will be described later.
[0051] The gripping element 28 is mounted so as to be able to move in translation along the actuation direction A in the receiving housing 30. Thus, an operator exerting pressure on the actuation surface 43, along the actuation direction A on the side of the inner surface 18 and towards the outer surface 20, causes a translational movement of the gripping element 28 and thus a movement of the locking pin 26 from the retracted position to the locking position, in which the locking pin 26 projects from the outer surface 20 of the door 4. In other words, the movement of the locking pin 26 on the side of the outer surface 20 is done by an actuation on the side of the inner surface 18, which is particularly ergonomic, because the inner surface 18 faces towards the outside of the vehicle when the door 4 is in the open position and is therefore accessible to the operator.Furthermore, the operator does not need to slide his hand between the door 4 and the side wall 2 to actuate the retaining device and therefore perform a non-ergonomic gesture and touch a polluted area. Indeed, when the door 4 is closed, the internal surface 18 extends inside the vehicle and therefore remains clean so that the actuating surface 43 extends into a clean area most of the time.
[0052] The locking pin 26 is further constrained towards its retracted position by a translational constraint element 48 arranged to return the locking pin 26 from its locking position to its retracted position in the actuation direction A when no pressure is exerted on the actuation surface 43 and when the locking pin 26 is not retained by the retaining portion 22. The translational constraint element 48 is for example formed by a helical spring mounted between the actuation surface 43 and the receiving housing 30, as more particularly visible in Figs 3 and 7. The translational constraint element 48 is thus compressed when an operator presses on the actuation surface 43 to move the locking pin 26 from its retaining position to its locking position.
[0053] In order to limit the movement of the locking pin 26 under the effect of the translational constraint element 48, the shoulder 45 of the locking portion abuts against a corresponding surface of the receiving housing 30 when the locking pin 26 is in the retracted position, as shown in [Fig. 3]. According to a embodiment, a seal 50 is interposed between the shoulder 45 and the end of the housing 42 receiving the mounting part 36 of the locking pin 26. This seal 50 makes it possible to ensure the sealing of the receiving housing 30 at the level of the opening through which the gripping element 28 passes when the locking pin 26 is moved between the retracted and locking positions.
[0054] The locking pin 26 is furthermore movable in rotation about its axis extending in the actuation direction A between the locking position and an unlocking position shown in [Fig.8]. Between the locking position and the unlocking position, the groove(s) 38 change orientation about the actuation direction A, as will be described in more detail later. The angle of rotation of the locking pin 26 between the locking position and the unlocking position is for example substantially equal to 90°. The rotation of the locking pin 26 is actuated by an operator turning the gripping element 28 secured to the locking pin 26 and movable in rotation relative to the receiving housing 30. For this purpose, the operator grasps for example the impressions 46 formed in the actuating surface 43 and turns the gripping element 28. Thus, the rotation of the locking pin 26 is also triggered on the side of the internal surface 18 of the door 4.
[0055] The locking pin 26 is further constrained towards its locking position by a rotational constraint element arranged to return the locking pin 26 to its locking position when the gripping element 28 is released by an operator having turned it to place the locking pin 26 in the unlocking position. The rotational constraint element is for example formed by an additional torsion spring. However, according to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the rotational constraint element is formed by the translational constraint element 48, which makes it possible to reduce the number of constituent elements of the actuating part 24 and to reduce the size of this actuating part 24. Such a reduction in the size makes it possible to improve the thermal insulation of the door 4, which is particularly important in the context of a refrigerated truck.In other words, the rotational constraint element and the translational constraint element 48 are for example formed by the same helical spring. This helical spring is for example prestressed between the gripping element 28 and the receiving housing 30. For this purpose, the helical spring extends between a first branch-shaped end 52 mounted in a corresponding notch of the gripping element 28 and a second branch-shaped end 54 mounted in a corresponding notch of the receiving housing 30. The notches are such that the rotational constraint element is prestressed, that is to say that the branches 52, 54 are brought together against the exerted force of the rotational constraint element when they are mounted in the corresponding notches of . the gripping element 28 and the receiving housing 30. Rotating the gripping element 28 to move the locking pin 26 between the locking position and the unlocking position causes the branches 52, 54 to move further closer to each other so as to increase the stress on the rotating constraint element. Thus, when the gripping element 28 is released, the rotating constraint element returns the gripping element 28 to its initial position and the locking pin 26 to its locking position.
[0056] The actuating portion 24 described above is mounted in an opening passing through the door 4 from the inner surface 18 to the outer surface 20 thereof. In order to ensure sealing around this opening, the receiving housing 30 comprises, for example, a peripheral collar 56 extending over the edge of the opening on the side of the inner surface 18 and the actuating portion 24 comprises, for example, a counterpart 58 extending into and over the edge of the opening on the side of the outer surface 20 of the door 4. The counterpart 58 comprises, for example, a central orifice made in a closing portion 60 of the counterpart and in which the locking pin 26 moves between the retracted position and the locking position. The closing portion 60 closes the opening in the outer surface 20 of the door 4.Furthermore, the wall 62 of the central orifice, in addition to guiding the movement of the locking pin 26 between its retracted and locking positions, is for example fixed to a corresponding part of the receiving housing 30 in order to ensure the fixing and holding of the actuating part 24 in the through opening of the door 4, as visible in Figs. 3 and 7. This fixing ensures a temporary holding of the actuating part 24 in the opening of the door 4, a definitive fixing of the actuating part being for example obtained by gluing the peripheral collar 56 and the closing part 60 respectively on the internal surface 18 and on the external surface 20 of the door 4. The glue is for example received in impressions 63 formed in the peripheral collar 56 and in the closing part 60, as shown in [Fig. 3].Thus, the actuating part 24 can be retained in the opening of the door 4 by the fixing between the wall 62 of the central orifice and the receiving housing 30 while the glue dries.
[0057] In the retracted position, only the peripheral collar 56 of the receiving housing 30 and the closing portion 60 of the counterpart 58 extend outside the door 4, as shown in [Fig. 3], so that the actuating portion 24 does not substantially increase the thickness of the door 4 and does not include a projecting portion outside the door 4 when the locking pin 26 is in the retracted position.
[0058] The actuating part 24 can easily be adapted to different thicknesses of door 4 simply by adapting the length of the locking pin 26 and that of the wall 62 of the central orifice of the counterpart 58, measured along the actuation direction A, to the thickness of the door 4. Thus, several models of locking pin 26 having different lengths can be provided and the wall 62 of the central orifice can be cut according to the thickness of the door 4. The actuation part 24 can thus be adapted to doors 4 whose thickness varies for example between 45 mm and 105 mm.
[0059] The receiving portion 22 is mounted in the side wall 2 opposite the actuating portion 24 when the door 4 is in the open position. More particularly, the receiving portion 22 is mounted on the side of the external surface 12 of the side wall 2 so as to extend into a part of the thickness of the side wall 2 and to be accessible from the external surface 12 of the side wall, as visible in [Fig. 2].
[0060] The receiving portion 22 comprises a retaining element 64 arranged to cooperate with the blocking pin 26 in a retaining configuration, in which the door 4 is in the open position and the blocking pin 26 is in the blocking position. The cooperation between the retaining element 64 and the blocking pin 26 is such that the door 4 is robustly held in the open position against the side wall 2. In other words, the cooperation prevents the door from moving from the open position to the closed position.
[0061] The cooperation between the retaining element 64 and the blocking pin 26 is ensured when at least one branch 66 of the retaining element 64 extends into the at least one groove 38 of the blocking pin 26, as shown in [Fig. 7]. The branch 66 makes it possible, when it extends into the groove 38, to block the movement of the blocking pin 26 and of the entire actuating part 24 in the actuating direction A so that the door 4 cannot move towards its closed position when the retaining device is in the retaining configuration.
[0062] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the retaining element 64 comprises two branches 66 each extending into one of the grooves 38 of the locking pin 26 in the retaining configuration of the retaining device. More generally and as visible in [Fig. 6], the retaining element 64 is made of a single piece, for example metal, the two branches 66 of which are connected to each other by a rounded hoop 68, which gives elasticity to the retaining element 64.
[0063] More particularly, the or each branch 66 is elastically deformable between a cooperation position, in which the or each branch 66 is engaged in the or each groove 38 of the locking pin 26 in the retaining configuration, and a passage position ([Fig.8]), in which the or each branch 66 is spaced from the or each groove 38 and allows the movement of the locking head 24 according to the actuation direction A relative to the retaining element 64. The transition from the cooperation position to the passage position is made in a release direction, substantially perpendicular to the actuation direction A and substantially parallel to the external surface 12 of the side wall 2. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail later, this transition from the cooperation position to the passage position is triggered by the locking pin 26 when an operator rotates the gripping element 28. Due to its elasticity, the or each branch 66 is forced towards its cooperation position.
[0064] When the retaining element 64 comprises two branches 66, these extend substantially parallel in the cooperation position and move away from each other in the release direction when passing from the cooperation position to the passage position.
[0065] For mounting the retaining element 64 in the side wall, the retaining part 22 comprises, for example, a receiving housing 70 for the retaining element 64. The receiving housing 70 comprises, for example, an imprint 72 having a shape substantially complementary to the retaining element 64 in the passage position, as more particularly visible in [Fig. 6]. The imprint 72 comprises, for example, a lug 74 arranged to receive the arch 68 of the retaining element 64. The receiving housing 70 is, for example, closed by a plate 76, comprising a through opening 78 allowing the passage of the locking pin 26 towards the retaining element 64 and, for example, screwed by screws 80 to the receiving housing 70.A section of EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer) cord 82 may be provided to provide an air gap between the branches 66 of the retaining element 64, which makes it possible to avoid a shock between the branches 66 when they move between their passage position and their cooperation position and thus to dampen the noise that such a shock would cause. . .
[0066] According to one embodiment, the plate 76 further comprises at least one damping element 83 extending over the external surface of the plate 76 to dampen the impact between the door 4 and the side wall 2 when the door 4 is moved into its open position. According to the embodiment of [Fig. 6], two damping elements 83 are arranged on either side of the through opening 78 of the plate 76.
[0067] To ensure that the receiving box is held in the side wall 2, the plate 76 is for example glued to the external surface 12 of the side wall 2.
[0068] The operation of the retaining device described above will now be described when the door 4 is moved from its closed position, shown in [Fig. 2], to its open position and vice versa. To open the door 4, an operator uses for example a handle 84 arranged in the vicinity of the actuating head 24 of the retaining device, in the case of a side door 4 as visible in [Fig.2]. It will be noted that, according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the actuating head 24 extends in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the door 4, for example between this axis of rotation and the handle 84. Similarly, the retaining part 22 extends in the vicinity of this axis of rotation in the side wall 2. Indeed, in the case of a side door 4, the space available for arranging the retaining device is limited and it is generally not possible to arrange the retaining device at the edge of the door 4 opposite its axis of rotation while this would a priori ensure better maintenance of the door in the open position.The cooperation between the locking pin 26 and the retaining element 64 is however sufficiently robust so that the holding of the door 4 in the open position is satisfactory even when the retaining device is arranged in the vicinity of the axis of rotation of the door. This robustness is in particular sufficient to ensure that the door is held in the open position when the vehicle is moving at low speed. It is understood that the retaining device could, when the available space allows, be arranged in the vicinity of the edge of the door opposite its axis of rotation. Thus, if the retaining device is for example implemented on a rear door 6, the retaining device can be provided in the vicinity of the edge of the door 4 opposite its axis of rotation.
[0069] When the operator has moved the door 4 into its open position, the actuating head 24 is located opposite the receiving portion 22 and the operator can move the retaining device into the retaining configuration.
[0070] To do this, the operator actuates the gripping element 28 by pressing on it to move it in the actuation direction A so as to push it into the thickness of the door 4, as visible in [Fig.7]. As indicated previously, the actuation of the gripping element 28 is done on the side of the inner surface 18 of the door 4, which is particularly ergonomic.
[0071] The gripping element 28 then causes the locking pin 26 to move from its retracted position to its locking position.
[0072] The locking pin 26 thus enters the retaining part 22, for example by passing through the opening 78 of the plate 76. During this movement, the actuating surface 40 comes into contact with the branch(es) 66 of the retaining element 64 and, due to its shape, causes the movement of the or each branch 66 from its cooperation position to its release position in the release direction, which allows an additional movement of the locking pin 26 towards the bottom of the impression 72.
[0073] This movement continues until the branch(es) 66 are opposite the groove(s) 38. The constraint of the branch(es) 66 then causes them to move towards their cooperation position in the groove(s) 38. The locking pin 26 is then in its locking position and the retaining element 64 in its cooperation position, which prevents any movement of the locking pin 26 relative to the retaining element 64 in the actuation direction A. The retaining device is thus in the retaining configuration and the door 4 is held robustly in the open position.
[0074] When the door 4 must be closed, the operator grasps the gripping element 28 and rotates it around its axis extending in the actuation direction A. Here again, this actuation is carried out on the side of the inner surface 18 of the door 4 so that the operator does not need to pass his hand between the door 4 and the side wall 2 to release the door 4 and be able to close it.
[0075] The rotation of the gripping element 28 causes that of the locking pin 26 between its locking position and its unlocking position, which exerts a thrust on the branch(es) 66 and tends to move them towards their release position outside the groove(s) 38. This rotation continues until the branch(es) 66 reach their release position outside the groove(s) 38 when the locking pin 26 is in its unlocking position. The branches 66 are then in abutment against the outer surface 86 extending around the groove(s) 38 in the locking portion of the locking pin 26, as visible in [Fig. 8]. The locking pin 26 can then move in the actuation direction A.
[0076] The operator can then release the gripping element 28, which causes, due to the translational constraint element 48, a movement of the locking pin 26 towards its retracted position outside the retaining part 22 and, due to the rotational constraint element, a rotation of the locking pin 26 so that it returns to the orientation it has in the locking position.
[0077] The door 4 can then be moved to its closed position while the locking head 24 is in its initial position and can be actuated again.
[0078] As indicated above, the invention could be applied to a door formed of several leaves or panels movable relative to each other, for example a central leaf and two side leaves, allowing a modular opening of the door to free up more or less access to the storage space. In this case, one of the side leaves could also be provided with a receiving part and the central leaf with a blocking head, so that the central leaf can be held in the open position against the side leaf when only the central leaf is open.
Claims
Claims
1. Body assembly (1) comprising at least one wall (2), defining an inner surface (10), intended to delimit a storage space (14), and an outer surface (12), opposite the inner surface (10), and at least one door (4) movable relative to the wall (2) between a closed position, in which an inner surface (18) of the door (4) closes at least part of the storage space (14), and an open position, in which an outer surface (20) of the door (4), opposite the inner surface (18) of the door (4), extends opposite the outer surface (12) of the wall (2), the body assembly further comprising a device for retaining the door in the open position, said retaining device comprising: - a retaining element (64) mounted in the side wall (2), - a locking head (24) mounted in the door (4), said locking head (24) comprising a locking pin (26) cooperating, in a retaining configuration, with the retaining element (64) in a locking position of the locking pin (26) and in the open position of the door (4) to maintain the door (4) in the open position, characterized in that the locking pin (26) is movable in translation relative to the door (4) in an actuation direction (A), substantially perpendicular to the internal surface (18) and to the external surface (20) of the door (4), between the locking position, in which at least a portion of the locking pin (26) extends projecting from the external surface (20) of the door (4) in the actuation direction (A), and a retracted position, in which the locking pin (26) is contained between the internal surface (18) and the external surface (20) of the door (4).
2. Bodywork assembly according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (64) comprises at least one branch (66) elastically deformable between a cooperation position, in which said branch (66) is engaged in a groove (38) of the locking pin (26) in the retaining configuration to prevent the movement of the locking pin (26) in the actuation direction (A) relative to the retaining element (64), and a passage position, in which the branch (66) allows the movement of the locking pin (26) in the actuation direction (A) relative to the retaining element (64).
3. A body assembly according to claim 2, wherein the branch (66) is biased towards the cooperating position.
4. Body assembly according to claim 2 or 3, in which the retaining element (64) comprises two branches (66) engaged in their cooperation position in two grooves (38) of the locking pin (26) in the retention configuration, the two branches (66) moving away from each other when passing from the cooperation position to the passage position.
5. Bodywork assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the locking pin (26) comprises a substantially frustoconical actuating surface (40) arranged to move the branch (66) of the retaining element (64) between the cooperation position and the passage position when the locking pin (26) is moved in the actuating direction (A) relative to the retaining element (64) to engage the locking pin (26) in the retaining element (64).
6. Bodywork assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the locking pin (26) is rotatable about an axis extending in the actuation direction (A) between the locking position, in which the groove (38) extends opposite the branch (66) of the retaining element (64) in the retaining configuration, and an unlocking position, in which the locking pin (26) moves the branch (66) into its passage position.
7. A body assembly according to claim 6, wherein the retaining device comprises a rotational constraining element constraining the rotational locking pin (26) from its unlocked position to its locked position.
8. A body assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retaining device comprises a translational constraint element (48) constraining the locking pin (26) in translation from its locking position to its retracted position.
9. A body assembly according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 7, wherein the rotational constraint element and the translational constraint element (48) are formed by a single coil spring.
10. A body assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the retaining device comprises a gripping element (28) allowing an operator to move the locking pin (26) in translation between the retracted position and the locking position, said gripping element (28) being actuable from the side of the internal surface (18) of the door (4).
11. A body assembly according to claim 10, wherein the gripping element (28) further allows an operator to move the locking pin (26) in rotation between the locking position and the unlocking position.