Device for closing a stepped rail bay, and corresponding vehicle.

Abstract

A shuttering device for a stepped rail bay, and corresponding vehicle. The present invention relates in particular to a shuttering device (1) for a bay formed in a structure, comprising a fixed part (11), in which an opening is defined, and at least one movable panel (12) sliding guided along two guide and / or retaining elements (114, 115) mounted on one face of said fixed panel (11), between a closed position, shuttering said opening, in a first plane defined by said fixed panel (11), referred to as the shuttering plane, and at least one open position, in a second plane, referred to as the sliding plane, substantially parallel to said shuttering plane, at least one of said guide and / or retaining elements (115) comprising two offset portions (1151, 1152) each having at least one guide groove cooperating with at least one slider integral with said movable panel. Abbreviated figure: Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Device for closing a stepped rail bay, and corresponding vehicle. 1. Scope of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention is that of bay equipment, used in particular in motor vehicles.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to devices for closing an opening made in a structural element, for example in the body of a vehicle, or in a door of the vehicle, and comprising a sliding movable part capable of releasing or closing an opening while offering a flush appearance, seen from the outside.

[0003] The invention can in particular equip different types of structures, such as caravans, motorhomes, coaches and buses, minibuses, trucks, vans, boats, etc.

[0004] Such devices, developed over several years by the holder of this application, are notably known under the term "flush bay".

[0005] In other words, these devices are designed so as to present, viewed from the outside, a flush or almost flush appearance between the bodywork, or more generally the wall or structure, and the fixed panel of the device. 2. Prior art

[0006] The general principle of this technique is described in particular in patent documents EP-0 778 168 and EP-0 857 844.

[0007] The shuttering device (hereafter referred to as "flush bay") comprises a fixed part and a movable part relative to this fixed part, or sliding panel.

[0008] The moving part is connected to the fixed assembly by functional elements which ensure the required mobility and which are attached to the face of the fixed part facing the interior of the vehicle.

[0009] These functional elements, also called rails, provide guidance and support for the movable panel. They are positioned on the inward-facing side of the vehicle, sufficiently far from the edges, or periphery, of the fixed part so that this periphery can be directly attached to the edges of the bay without the rails interfering. This eliminates the need for a connecting frame between the edges of the bay and the fixed part.

[0010] This fixed part can be made of one or more elements (placed side by side in the same plane), for example of glass or polycarbonate.

[0011] Such a flush bay can thus be mounted entirely independently of the vehicle, and brought in, from the outside, into the housing defined for this purpose by the bay, or the housing, defined in the bodywork, or more generally in the wall.

[0012] The edges of the fixed part are secured, for example by means of a bead of glue, to the edges of the bay, without any other intermediate connecting element.

[0013] From an aesthetic point of view, the flush bay has, when viewed from the outside, a smooth, flush appearance, because no frame is required on the contour of the opening formed in the fixed assembly.

[0014] To ensure the movement of the moving part, generally consisting of a transparent panel, a guide device is therefore provided comprising a first and a second guide rail mounted fixed on the fixed part (or fixed structure) of the bay, on either side of the opening closed by the moving panel.

[0015] The movable panel carries a frame equipped with guide elements, each running in a track formed in the rails, to slide for example in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) opening position and a closing position, in which it closes the opening.

[0016] To maximize the flush appearance, it may be provided that, in the closed position, the movable panel fits into the plane of the fixed part, passing from an intermediate clearance position, in the sliding plane, opposite the opening and clear of it to the closed position.

[0017] It should be noted that the term "plane" should be understood here in a broader sense: the plane formed by the bay is sometimes curved, in one or even two directions to adapt to the shape of the structure (this also justifies the term "substantially" used in the description and the claims).

[0018] The movable panel can be moved manually or by means of an electric motor. In the latter case, suitable actuation means (motorization, transmission, etc.) are provided.

[0019] The two rails are generally parallel to ensure efficient sliding guidance. This technique proves very effective in many situations, particularly when the bays have a large surface area and / or a substantially rectangular shape.

[0020] However, in many vehicles, the bays (openings in the bodywork) are not rectangular, but trapezoidal, or have at least one rounded or inclined edge, or more generally any shape adapted to the vehicle, based on aesthetic or aerodynamic criteria, for example. Internal vehicle components may also, in some cases, interfere with the placement of the rails.

[0021] In this case, the space between the rails is limited by the short side(s) of the bay. This is not acceptable for a modern vehicle.

[0022] Furthermore, the rails are generally mounted close to the edges of the fixed part so that they can be concealed, for example, by screen printing applied to the fixed part. When the opening is not rectangular, at least part of one of the rails may be visible, unless most of the glass is screen-printed, which is of course undesirable: it is generally desirable to maximize the clear window area.

[0023] It has been considered to implement non-parallel rails to try to adapt to a substantially trapezoidal shape. In theory, this would increase the window opening. However, in practice, this approach is complex to implement because it requires the use of pins or similar connecting elements between the rails and the moving panel, the length of which varies according to the movement of the moving panel. These elements require numerous parts and are therefore expensive, fragile, and poorly suited to automotive applications. Furthermore, they are prone to jamming, or at the very least disrupting the sliding motion, or even breaking.

[0024] The invention aims in particular to overcome at least some of these drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0025] More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a technique for closing a motor vehicle bay using a sliding movable panel, which is suitable for non-rectangular bays of various shapes, and in particular truncated on one or more sides, for example trapezoidal or partially trapezoidal, and more generally having opposite edges of different dimensions.

[0026] Another objective of the invention is to provide such a technique for closing a bay, which makes it possible to preserve a significant bay opening, regardless of the general shape of the bay.

[0027] There is also a need to provide, at a lower cost, such a technique which is reliable, and simple to manufacture, assemble and / or maintain. 3. Summary of the invention

[0028] The technique of the invention makes it possible to resolve at least some of the drawbacks raised by the prior art. More specifically, the proposed technique relates to a device for closing an opening in a structure, comprising a fixed part, in which an opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel guided along two guide and / or guide-holding elements mounted on one face of said fixed panel, between a closed position, closing said opening, in a first plane defined by said fixed panel, called the closing plane, and at least an opening position, in a second plane, called the sliding plane, substantially parallel to said shutter plane.

[0029] According to the invention, at least a first of said guiding and / or guiding retaining elements comprises two offset portions each having at least one guide groove cooperating with at least one slider integral with said movable panel.

[0030] Such a stepped rail allows for efficient adaptation to a bay of non-rectangular shape, and / or to other constraints, in particular to obtain a larger bay opening.

[0031] Preferably, said offset portions extend along parallel directions.

[0032] Advantageously, the said offset portions of said first guiding and / or retaining element extend substantially parallel to the second of said guiding and / or retaining elements.

[0033] The expression "substantially parallel" means that a slight deviation in parallelism may exist, for example less than 2°, and preferably less than 1°, to take into account manufacturing and / or assembly constraints and / or tolerances. This angle must remain small to avoid the risk of jamming.

[0034] Thus:

[0035] - said offset portions extend in substantially parallel directions, forming a first angle between them of between 0 and 2°, preferably less than 1°;

[0036] - said offset portions of said first guiding and / or retaining element extend substantially parallel to the second of said guiding and / or retaining elements, forming a second angle between 0 and 2°, preferably less than 1°.

[0037] According to this approach to the invention, we overcome the difficulties inherent in non-parallel rails, which require means of compensating for the lack of parallelism.

[0038] According to a particular embodiment, a first of said portions of said first guiding and / or holding element being at a first distance DI from the second of said guiding and / or holding elements and a second of said portions of said first guiding and / or holding element being at a second distance D2, greater than said first distance D1, from the second of said guiding and / or holding elements, said movable panel carries a substantially rectangular frame two sides of which are perpendicular to a sliding axis and of length defined by said first distance.

[0039] In this case, said frame has, on its edge cooperating with said second portion, a connecting extension with said second portion.

[0040] In particular, according to a particular embodiment, said edge carries means for controlling the opening, controlling at least one bolt cooperating with a strike plate formed in said second portion.

[0041] According to another optional aspect, said first guiding and / or retaining element has an intermediate part connecting said first and second portion.

[0042] This intermediate part can in particular form a stop cooperating with said extension of connection, in said closed position.

[0043] It may also have an intermediate groove connecting the guide grooves formed in said first and second portion.

[0044] According to a variant of the invention, said first and second portion are distinct elements from each other.

[0045] The invention also relates to motor vehicles comprising at least one sealing device as described above and below. 4. List of Figures

[0046] The proposed technique, as well as its various advantages, will be more easily understood in light of the following description of two illustrative and non-limiting embodiments thereof, and the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0047] - [Fig. 1] illustrates an example of a sealing device according to the invention, in position closed, seen from inside a vehicle;

[0048] - [Fig.2] illustrates the sealing device of [Fig.1], seen from outside the vehicle;

[0049] - [Fig. 3] illustrates the shuttering device of Figures 1 and 2, seen from a three-quarter angle, side inside the vehicle;

[0050] - [Fig.4] illustrates the shuttering device of the preceding figures, in position open, seen from inside a vehicle;

[0051] - [Fig.5] illustrates the sealing device of [Fig.4], seen from outside the vehicle;

[0052] - [Fig. 6] illustrates the shuttering device of Figures 4 and 5, seen from a three-quarter angle, side inside the vehicle;

[0053] - [Fig.7] is an enlarged view of [Fig.6], showing the lower rail and part of the mobile panel with which it cooperates;

[0054] - [Fig.8] is an isolated view of the lower rail of [Fig.7];

[0055] - [Fig.9] illustrates a variant of the invention, according to which the lower rail is made in two separate parts. 5. Detailed description of the invention

[0056] An embodiment of the technique of the invention is subsequently illustrated, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, by means of figures 1 to 7 showing a sealing device for a side wall of a motor vehicle.

[0057] The proposed technique can be applied in the same way to other structures having a wall in which an opening is defined, for example a caravan or a motorhome. In particular, the opening can be formed in a side wall of the vehicle (for example, for commercial vehicles, minivans, station wagons, etc.), in a wall facing the rear of the vehicle (for example, for pickup trucks), or even in a door. It can also be a partition opening in a vehicle.

[0058] The proposed technique is therefore not limited to the embodiment described, and a person skilled in the art will directly identify various modifications, alternative forms and other variants within the scope of the present invention, particularly depending on the shape of the bay and specific constraints, for example in terms of safety, sealing, maintenance, assembly...

[0059] A shuttering device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 8. It comprises a fixed panel 11, for example made of glass or polycarbonate, the edges of which are defined to coincide with the edges of a corresponding opening (not shown), provided in the bodywork or in a door of a vehicle, or more generally of a mobile structure.

[0060] In some cases, this fixed portion 11 is not rectangular, or substantially rectangular, for example due to constraints imposed by aesthetics, vehicle dimensions, and / or aerodynamics. Thus, in the illustrated example, the lower edge has a truncated portion 112. This prevents the use of a conventional, straight rail along the AL axis. Therefore, according to the known approach, the rail should extend along the A2 axis. This has the disadvantage of imposing a reduced opening, which can only extend between the two rails.

[0061] To avoid this drawback, the invention proposes the implementation of a stepped rail 115, having two offset sections 1151, 1152. In the illustrated embodiment, rail 115 is the lower rail. However, the same approach could be implemented on the upper rail 114, or even on both rails, depending on the requirements. Furthermore, the movement of the movable panel is horizontal here, but it could also be vertical or inclined.

[0062] Thus, the device of the invention comprises a movable panel 12, which slides in direction C to open (Figures 3 to 6) or close an opening 41 in the fixed panel. The movable panel can also move perpendicularly to the fixed panel, at the beginning of the opening, to move out of the opening 41, and at the moment of closing, to move into this opening 41, according to techniques known per se.

[0063] The two offset portions 1151 and 1152 extend respectively along axes A2 and AL. They are parallel to each other and to the second rail 114, as well as to the axis of sliding C, according to the illustrated embodiment. This avoids the drawbacks of non-parallel rails. However, due to the offset between the two sections, it is possible to have a clear opening 111 extending between section 1152 and the upper rail, over a distance D2, and not only over the distance DI (corresponding approximately to the height of the frame 121 of the movable panel), which is less than D2, between the first section 1151 and the upper rail 114. In other words, the invention makes it possible to increase the height of the clear opening 111 by D2-D1.

[0064] It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, the axes Al and A2 may not be perfectly parallel to each other, and / or perfectly parallel to the second rail and / or the sliding axis C, in order to accommodate certain constraints and / or take into account tolerance requirements. In particular, the axes Al and A2 may form a first angle of less than 2°, and preferably less than 1°. Similarly, each of these axes may form a second angle of less than 2°, and preferably less than 1°, with the direction of the second rail. This angle must remain small to avoid the risk of jamming.

[0065] Implementing the invention requires adapting the frame 121 and the elements ensuring guidance in the rail 115. Indeed, according to the prior art, these guiding elements, conventionally guide pins, are mounted so as to extend under the lower edge of the frame 121, and each slides in a groove extending along the axis of the rail. According to the invention, the guiding elements must be offset to cooperate respectively with one or the other of the portions. The distal pin (not shown) located on the right side of the frame (in [Fig. 1]) cooperates with the first portion 1151 in a conventional manner. The term "distal" is used here to designate the side "near the edge of the fixed part" and the term "proximal" to designate the side "near the middle of the device" in the closed position.

[0066] The proximal pin (not shown) located on the left side of the frame (in [Fig. 1]) must, however, be offset. For this purpose, the corresponding edge 124 of the frame 12 has an extension 122, connecting the lower part of this frame to the second portion 1152.

[0067] In this way, as can be seen in particular in figures 2 and 5, it is possible to have a clear bay 111 with a height greater than that of the opening 12, without the rail 115 being visible from the outside.

[0068] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of Figure 6, showing the lower rail 115. [Fig.8] is a view of rail 115 of [Fig.7], with the fixed and movable panels removed, so as to better distinguish the upper surface of this rail.

[0069] The first portion 1151 has a guide groove 71, the distal end of which has an inclined portion 711 allowing control of the movement of the movable panel during opening and closing. The second portion 1152 also has a guide groove 72, the proximal end of which has a curved portion 721 allowing control of the movable panel's swaying during opening and closing, as well as locking.

[0070] In this embodiment, the locking of the movable panel in the closed position is ensured by the insertion of the pin, forming a bolt, into a housing, forming a strike plate, at the end of the curved portion 721. A similar bolt and strike plate may also be provided at the level of the upper rail. An actuating handle 123 in the edge 124 of the frame allows the bolts to be extracted from their respective strike plates, and the sliding of the movable panel to be controlled.

[0071] The groove 71 can extend towards the groove 72, via an intermediate groove portion 73 formed in an intermediate portion 1153 of the rail 115, connecting the two portions 1151 and 1152, in particular to allow the evacuation of water running down the inside side of the device, from the first portion to the second portion, and then to the outside of the vehicle, using suitable means.

[0072] The surface of this intermediate portion 1153 can be slightly inclined, with respect to the vertical, and adapted to coincide with the corresponding part 1221 of the extension 122, in the closed position, so as to form a stop and, where appropriate, participate in guiding, for swaying during closing and / or opening.

[0073] Figure 9 illustrates a variant of the invention in which the two rail sections 91 and 92 are separate elements, not connected to each other by an intermediate section. The other constituent elements of the device are identical or similar to the solution described above.

[0074] According to other variants, and depending on the vehicle design requirements, the guide and / or support element having two offset portions may be the upper rail, or a side rail, if the movable panel moves vertically. It may also be provided that both rails have offset portions.

Claims

Demands

1. A shuttering device (1) for an opening in a structure, comprising a fixed part (11), in which an opening is defined, and at least one movable panel (12) sliding guided along two guide and / or retaining elements (114, 115) mounted on a face of said fixed panel (11), between a closed position, shuttering said opening, in a first plane defined by said fixed panel (11), said shuttering plane, and at least one open position, in a second plane, said sliding plane, substantially parallel to said shuttering plane, in which at least one of said guide and / or retaining elements (115) comprises two offset portions (1151, 1152) each having at least one guide groove (71, 72) cooperating with at least one slide integral with said movable panel, in which said offset portions extend in substantially parallel directions,forming a first angle between them of between 0 and 2° and said offset portions of said first guiding and / or retaining element extend substantially parallel to the second of said guiding and / or retaining elements, forming a second angle of between 0 and 2°, characterized in that, a first of said portions of said first guiding and / or retaining element being at a first distance (Dl) from the second of said guiding and / or retaining elements and a second of said portions of said first guiding and / or retaining element being at a second distance (D2), greater than said first distance (Dl), from the second of said guiding and / or retaining elements, said movable panel carries a substantially rectangular frame two sides of which are perpendicular to a sliding axis and of length defined by said first distance (Dl).

2. A sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame has, on its edge cooperating with said second portion (1152), a connecting extension (122) with said second portion.

3. A shuttering device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said edge carries means for controlling the opening, controlling at least one bolt cooperating with a strike plate formed in said second portion (1152).

4. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said first guiding and / or retaining element has an intermediate part (1153) connecting said first and second portion.

5. A sealing device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said intermediate part (1153) forms a stop, cooperating with said connecting extension, in said closed position.

6. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that said intermediate part (1153) has an intermediate groove (73) connecting the guide grooves (71, 72) formed in said first and second portion.

7. A sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first and second portions are distinct elements from each other.

8. Motor vehicle comprising at least one sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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