Lock reinforcement for a motor vehicle door

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock reinforcement (1) for a motor vehicle door, the lock reinforcement (1) comprising a mounting plate (11), a side flap (12) located in the extension of the mounting plate (11) and extending secantly relative to said mounting plate (11), an extension (13) which projects from the side flap (12), the extension (13) being intended to extend at the periphery of an actuating cable of the lock in order to protect said actuating cable, at a cable outlet of the lock. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Lock reinforcement for a motor vehicle door

[0001] The technical context of the present invention is that of passive safety of motor vehicles, and more particularly the protection of occupants in the event of a side impact. More particularly, the invention relates to a sliding guide support for a motor vehicle door structure.

[0002] It is known that, in the case of a side impact or a side collision, it is preferable for the doors of a motor vehicle to remain closed, even in the event of significant deformation resulting from particularly violent impacts. Indeed, in the event of an accident occurring, if the side doors of a motor vehicle involved in the accident open, the risks of injury increase very significantly for the occupants of the motor vehicle. In particular, in the event of uncontrolled opening of the doors, such risks include, in particular, risks of expulsion of the occupants outside the passenger compartment and / or risks of intrusion of objects into said passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0003] Thus, it is sought that the doors of a motor vehicle remain closed under all circumstances, including during an accident or a direct side impact on the doors.

[0004] In a known manner, motor vehicle door closing devices comprise a locking / closing device which can be released to open the door by means of a transfer element cooperating with actuating elements arranged on the outside of the door and possibly on the inside of the door, for example a flexible cable sliding in a flexible sheath, or a linkage, arranged between the outer trim of the door and the inner trim of the door. In order to prevent the automatic opening of the door in the event of an accident, document DE 10 2008 021 158 A1 is known, which discloses, in addition to the transfer element intended to unlock the door, an additional transfer means by means of which, in the event of an accident, the actual transfer element is deactivated, for example by blocking.

[0005] This device is of relatively complex construction, which is a disadvantage not only from the point of view of costs but also from the point of view of weight. In the event of significant consequent deformation of the door structure, perfect operation is also no longer guaranteed due to the complex structure of this device.

[0006] We also know the documents DE 10 2005 049 144 Al and EP 1 937 920 B1 which describe devices that also prevent unwanted opening of the door in the event of an accident. These devices operate with mass stops that block the transfer element, for example a flexible cable sliding in a flexible sheath, by shifting its position under the effect of its mass inertia. The two solutions known in the state of the art propose integrating these mass stops into the door handle itself. This results in a very complex and expensive door handle construction.

[0007] It is also noted that the known door locking and closing devices have a sheath stop for the actuating cable which is sometimes exposed to intrusions in the event of a lateral impact against the door on which such locking and closing devices are installed. Such intrusions then lead, despite sometimes the presence of the other known devices, to tensioning of the actuating cable, or even to its cutting, which then leads to the unwanted opening of the door.

[0008] To avoid such an impact on the sheath stop of the actuating cable, the use of an oblique reinforcement which is placed across the door structure near the locking and closing device in order to protect the sheath stop from such an intrusion is known, or the use of a lock reinforcement comprising an integrated protection of the sheath stop, forming an overmolding of said sheath stop. Such solutions are not always adapted to door structure architectures and are sometimes too complex and too expensive for certain motor vehicles.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to propose a new lock reinforcement in order to respond at least to a large extent to the preceding problems and to further lead to other advantages.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to protect the actuating cable of a locking and / or closing device in the event of a lateral impact on a door structure.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to avoid interference between an exterior door panel and the actuating cable during a side impact.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to propose a limitation of the mass contribution of the lock reinforcement according to the invention.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, at least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a lock reinforcement for a motor vehicle door, the lock reinforcement comprising:

[0014] - a mounting plate for the lock intended to be mounted from the inside against a song of a door lining;

[0015] - a side flap located in the extension of the mounting plate and extending from secant manner relative to said plate, the side flap being intended to be placed in abutment against a side face of the door lining;

[0016] - an extension which projects from the lock reinforcement, the extension being intended to extend around the periphery of a lock actuating cable.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the lock reinforcement is a protective part fixed integrally to the door lining and / or to the lock directly and which makes it possible to limit the risks of interference with the lock during a lateral impact against the door lining. Generally speaking, the lock reinforcement is a folded metal sheet.

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the mounting plate forms a base allowing attachment to the door lining. The mounting plate extends mainly along a specific elongation axis.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the side flap completes the base to facilitate mounting on the door lining. The side flap extends secantly relative to the base. The side flap extends mainly along the proper elongation axis.

[0020] In the context of the present invention, the extension forms a protrusion that extends from the side flap and in a direction opposite to the mounting plate. A position and / or orientation of the extension relative to the side flap and the base is such that, when the lock reinforcement is mounted on the door structure, the extension extends close to and around the periphery of the actuating cable of the door locking and closing device. The extension thus forms a spacer that extends close to and across the actuating cable, so that, upon intrusion of the door lining during a side impact, the door lining bears on the extension instead of the actuating cable directly.

[0021] Thus, the lock reinforcement according to the first aspect of the invention makes it possible to protect the actuating cable of a locking and / or closing device in the event of a lateral impact on a door structure, in particular by preventing interference between the door lining and the actuating cable. In a particularly advantageous manner, the lock reinforcement according to the first aspect of the invention provides such a function without excessive addition of mass, at lower cost and without manufacturing complexity.

[0022] The lock reinforcement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0023] - the extension projects from the side flap of the lock reinforcement. In other words terms, the extension extends from the lateral flap and in a direction secant to a direction of elongation of the lateral flap, that is to say in a direction secant with respect to the proper axis of elongation, and in particular perpendicularly;

[0024] - the extension projects from the mounting plate of the lock reinforcement. In in other words, the extension extends from the mounting plate and in a direction secant to a direction of elongation of the mounting plate, that is to say in a direction secant relative to the proper axis of elongation, and in particular perpendicularly;

[0025] - the extension takes the form of a folded leg;

[0026] - the folded leg has an “S” shape or a “U” shape;

[0027] - the folded leg comprises (i) a first segment which extends from the reinforcement of lock, (ii) a second segment which extends in the extension of the first segment and in a non-coplanar manner with said first segment;

[0028] - advantageously, the first segment is parallel to the second segment;

[0029] - the folded leg has an inclined segment which extends between the first segment and the second segment, the inclined segment being simultaneously intersecting said first segment and said second segment;

[0030] - the extension has several stiffening ribs. This configuration advantageous allows to stiffen the extension and prevent it from bending during a side impact and interference with the door lining. The stiffening ribs are formed on the first segment and / or the second segment and / or the inclined segment;

[0031] - the extension is made of material with the mounting plate and / or the side flap. Al Alternatively, the extension is attached to the mounting plate or to the side flap.

[0032] - a width of the extension is between 15 mm and 35 mm. In the context of the present invention, the width of the extension is measured relative to the proper elongation axis of the lock reinforcement. Preferably, the width of the extension is equal to 25 mm;

[0033] - the lock reinforcement is metallic. Preferably, the lock reinforcement is formed from a material comprising steel and / or aluminum;

[0034] - a thickness of the lock reinforcement is equal to 1.2 mm;

[0035] - the lock reinforcement is preferably obtained by stamping.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a door structure for a motor vehicle, the door structure comprising:

[0037] - a door lining;

[0038] - a lock forming a device for closing and locking the door, the lock comprising a lock actuating cable;

[0039] - a lock reinforcement according to the first aspect of the invention or according to one of any of its improvements, the lock reinforcement being integral with the lock and the lock mounting plate of which is mounted from the inside against an edge of the door lining and the side flap of which is pressed against a side face of the door lining, the actuating cable extending at the level of the extension of the lock reinforcement.

[0040] The door structure according to the second aspect of the invention advantageously comprises at least one of the improvements below, the technical characteristics forming these improvements being able to be taken alone or in combination:

[0041] - a free end of the lock reinforcement extension is securely fixed to the door lining.

[0042] - a sliding guide of a side window of the door is fixed integrally to the extension of the lock reinforcement.

[0043] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising at least one door structure in accordance with the second aspect of the invention or according to any of its improvements.

[0044] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, integrating according to all of their possible combinations the different optional characteristics set out here.

[0045] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description on the one hand, and from several examples of embodiment given for informational and non-limiting purposes with reference to the appended schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0046] [Fig. 1] illustrates a first example of embodiment of a lock reinforcement in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

[0047] [Fig.2] illustrates a second example of the embodiment of a compliant lock reinforcement to the first aspect of the invention;

[0048] [Fig.3] illustrates an example of the embodiment of a door structure conforming to the second aspect of the invention and comprising the lock reinforcement illustrated in [Fig.l]

[0049] Of course, the features, variants and different embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other, in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of features described below in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0050] In particular, all the variants and all the embodiments described can be combined with each other if nothing prevents this combination from a technical point of view.

[0051] In the figures, the elements common to several figures retain the same reference.

[0052] With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, the invention relates to a reinforcement 1 of lock 2 for a motor vehicle door, the reinforcement 1 of lock 2 comprising:

[0053] - a mounting plate 11 of the lock 2 intended to be mounted from the inside against an edge of a door lining;

[0054] - a side flap 12 located in the extension of the mounting plate 11 and extending secantly relative to said plate, the side flap 12 being intended to be placed in abutment against a side face of the door lining 4;

[0055] - an extension 13 which projects from the reinforcement 1 of lock 2, the extension 13 being intended to extend around the periphery of a cable for actuating the lock 2.

[0056] The reinforcement 1 of lock 2 is intended to be fixed integrally to the door lining 4 and / or to the lock 2 directly in order to protect the lock 2 itself in the event of lateral impacts and which makes it possible to limit the risks of interference with the lock 2 during a lateral impact against the door lining 4. Generally speaking, the reinforcement 1 of lock 2 is a folded metal sheet.

[0057] The extension 13 of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2 forms a protrusion which extends from the side flap 12 and in a direction opposite to the mounting plate 11. A position and / or an orientation of the extension 13 relative to the side flap 12 and to the base is such that, when the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2 is mounted on the door structure, the extension 13 extends close to and at the periphery of the actuating cable of the door locking and closing device, as visible in [Fig. 3].

[0058] Generally speaking, the extension 13 projects from the lateral flap 12 of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2, in a direction secant with respect to the proper elongation axis of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2.

[0059] The extension 13 takes the form of a folded tab: the folded tab has an “S” shape or a “U” shape.

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l], the folded tab comprises:

[0061] - a first segment 131 which extends from the reinforcement 1 of lock 2,

[0062] - a second segment 132 which extends in the extension of the first segment 131 and in a non-coplanar manner with said first segment 131. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l], the first segment 131 is parallel to the second segment 132;

[0063] - an inclined segment 133 which extends between the first segment 131 and the second segment 132, the inclined segment 133e being simultaneously intersecting said first segment 131 and said second segment 132.

[0064] The second segment 132 forms a free edge of the folded tab forming the extension 13 of the reinforcement 1 of lock 2 illustrated in [Fig.l]. Thus, the folded tab forming the extension 13 of the reinforcement 1 of lock 2 illustrated in [Fig.l] has a general “S” shape.

[0065] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the folded tab comprises:

[0066] - a first segment 131 which extends from the reinforcement 1 of lock 2,

[0067] - a second segment 132 which extends in the extension of the first segment 131 and in a non-coplanar manner with said first segment 131. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the first segment 131 is parallel to the second segment 132;

[0068] - a first inclined segment 131 which extends between the first segment 131 and the second segment 132, the first inclined segment 131 being simultaneously intersecting said first segment 131 and said second segment 132.

[0069] - a third segment 134 which extends in the extension of the second segment 132 and in a non-coplanar manner with said second segment 132. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2], the third segment 134 is parallel to the first segment 131;

[0070] - a second inclined segment 132 which extends between the second segment 132 and the third segment 134, the second inclined segment 132 being simultaneously intersecting said second segment 132 and said third segment 134.

[0071] The third segment 134 forms a free edge of the folded tab forming the extension 13 of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2 illustrated in [Fig.2]. Thus, the folded tab forming the extension 13 of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2 illustrated in [Fig.2] has a general “U” shape.

[0072] A width of the extension 13 is between 15 mm and 35 mm, preferably equal to 25 mm, measured relative to the proper elongation axis of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2.

[0073] The extension 13 is made in one piece with the mounting plate 11 and / or the side flap 12.

[0074] With reference to [Fig.3], the invention also relates to a door structure for a motor vehicle, the door structure comprising:

[0075] - a door lining 4;

[0076] - a lock 2 forming a device for closing and locking the door, the lock 2 comprising a cable for actuating the lock 2;

[0077] - a reinforcement 1 of lock 2 as described previously, the reinforcement 1 of lock 2 being integral with the lock 2 and whose mounting plate 11 of the lock 2 is mounted from the inside against an edge of the door lining 4 and whose side flap 12 is placed in abutment against a side face of the door lining 4, the actuating cable extending at the level of the extension 13 of the reinforcement 1 of the lock 2.

[0078] The extension 13 thus forms a spacer which extends close to and across the actuating cable, so that, when the door lining 4 is intruded during a side impact, the door lining 4 comes to bear on the extension 13 instead of the actuating cable directly, near a cable outlet 21 of the lock 2.

[0079] In summary, the invention relates to a reinforcement 1 of lock 2 for a motor vehicle door, the reinforcement 1 of lock 2 comprising a mounting plate 11, a lateral flap 12 situated in the extension of the mounting plate 11 and extending secantly relative to said mounting plate 11, an extension 13 which projects from the lateral flap 12, the extension 13 being intended to extend at the periphery of an actuating cable of the lock 2 in order to protect said actuating cable, at a cable outlet 21 of the lock 2.

[0080] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the different characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Reinforcement (1) of lock (2) for a motor vehicle door, the reinforcement (1) of lock (2) comprising: - a mounting plate (11) of the lock (2) intended to be mounted from the inside against an edge of a lining of the door; - a lateral flap (12) located in the extension of the mounting plate (11) and extending secantly relative to said plate, the lateral flap (12) being intended to be placed in abutment against a lateral face of the door lining (4); characterized in that the reinforcement (1) of lock (2) comprises an extension (13) which projects from the reinforcement (1) of lock (2), the extension (13) being intended to extend at the periphery of an actuating cable of the lock (2).

2. Reinforcement (1) of lock (2) according to claim 1, in which the extension (13) projects from the side flap (12) of the reinforcement (1) of lock (2).

3. Reinforcement (1) of lock (2) according to claim 1, in which the extension (13) projects from the mounting plate (11) of the reinforcement (1) of lock (2).

4. Reinforcement (1) of lock (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the folded tab comprises: - a first segment (131) which extends from the reinforcement (1) of lock (2); - a second segment (132) which extends in the extension of the first segment (131) and in a non-coplanar manner with said first segment (131).

5. Reinforcement (1) of lock (2) according to the preceding claim, in which the folded tab comprises an inclined segment (133) which extends between the first segment (131) and the second segment (132), the inclined segment (133)e being simultaneously intersecting said first segment (131) and said second segment (132).

6. Reinforcement (1) of lock (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the extension (13) comprises several stiffening ribs.

7. Door structure for a motor vehicle, the door structure comprising: - a door lining (4); - a lock (2) forming a device for closing and locking the door, the lock (2) comprising a cable for actuating the lock (2); - a reinforcement (1) for the lock (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the reinforcement (1) for the lock (2) being integral with the lock (2) and the mounting plate (11) of the lock (2) being mounted from the inside against an edge of the door lining (4) and the side flap (12) of which is pressed against a side face of the door lining (4), the actuating cable extending at the extension (13) of the reinforcement (1) for the lock (2).

8. Door structure according to the preceding claim, in which a free end of the extension (13) of the reinforcement (1) of the lock (2) is fixed integrally to the door lining (4).

9. Door structure according to any one of claims 7 or 8, in which a sliding guide (3) of a side window of the door is fixed integrally to the extension (13) of the reinforcement (1) of the lock (2).

10. Motor vehicle comprising at least one door structure according to the preceding claim.

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