Articulation device between two elements of a locking / unlocking mechanism

Abstract

Articulation device between two elements of a locking / unlocking mechanism. The invention relates to an articulation device between two elements (1, 2) of a two-part locking / unlocking mechanism, the device comprising: a first element (1) with an interface incorporating a through circular orifice, a second element (2) with an interface incorporating a cylindrical structure complementary to the orifice of the first element, the free end (213) of the interface being inserted axially through the orifice of the first element, characterized in that: the end of the cylindrical structure of the second element comprises a lug (212); the orifice of the first element comprises a through groove (112) parallel to the axis of the orifice, disposed along the inner surface of the orifice and complementary in shape to the lug; in operation,The pivoting of the two elements does not result in the alignment of the lug of the second element with the groove of the first element. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 4,

Description

Title of the invention: Articulation device between two elements of a locking / unlocking mechanism

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of locking and unlocking mechanisms and more particularly to glove box flap locking / unlocking mechanisms.

[0002] In the passenger compartment of a vehicle, it is common to provide a storage space integrated into a part of the dashboard and closed by a partition panel such as a hatch or a cover but also a door or a gate. The partition panel is then arranged so that it can be held in the closed position so that the compartment created by the storage space is independent of the volume of the passenger compartment.

[0003] According to a usual construction example, the partitioning panel is arranged in a plane substantially coincident with, if not parallel to, the surface of the dashboard. It is then common to move the partitioning panel according to a movement arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to a part of the surface of the dashboard. Thus, conventionally, the partitioning panel pivots around an axis which belongs to or is substantially parallel to the surface of the dashboard. Alternatively, this partitioning panel is translated like the front of a drawer along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the dashboard. Under these conditions, the operations of locking / unlocking the partitioning panel relative to the plane of the dashboard involve a locking mechanism integrated into the structure of the partitioning panel and arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the dashboard.

[0004] Locking operations generally involve a mechanism for translating one or more bolts. This mechanism, in particular when a pair of bolts must be moved simultaneously, relies on actuation by a pivoting element forming a return device associated with each of the bolts of the mechanism. The cooperation of the return device with each of the bolts is notably achieved through an articulation of one end of the bolt with a part of the return device. Conventionally, the pivoting articulation of the return device on its support and / or of the bolts with the return device is achieved by the movement of a first of the two parts around an axis carried by the second part. Currently, the assembly of these parts for the construction of this articulation is carried out by a clipping mechanism.The end of the axle carried by the second part comprises a stop retaining means mounted on a flexible tab which is. deformed at the time of insertion of the axis through an orifice of the first part to return to position when the part is inserted. This clipping mechanism has the advantage of being of simple design by allowing the realization of an articulation from only the parts articulated between them. However, this type of mechanism presents a problem in maintaining an assembly over time of the parts between them. Indeed, the flexibility of the clipping tabs maintains the assembly which only weakly resists the vibrations which pass through the mechanism. Similarly, the repetition of the pivoting movements of the parts between them is likely to lead to frequent unclipping.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing a solution which, on the one hand, makes it possible to retain the advantages of easy assembly of the elements articulated together without requiring the intervention of an additional part and, on the other hand, ensures that the assembly of the articulated elements remains resistant to vibrations and natural wear linked to its operation.

[0006] The invention relates to a device for articulation between two elements of a locking / unlocking mechanism of a moving part relative to a fixed part, the device comprising: - a first element comprising an articulation interface produced by a circular cylindrical through orifice, - a second element comprising a hinge interface produced in the form of a circular cylindrical rectilinear structure with a cross-sectional diameter substantially complementary to that of the orifice of the hinge interface of the first element and of a length greater than the thickness of the hinge interface of the first element, such that a first, free, end of the articulation interface of the second element is inserted in axial pivoting through the articulation interface of the first element,

[0007] characterized in that: - the articulation interface of the second element comprises, at the first end of the cylindrical structure, a lug positioned at a distance from the second end of the cylindrical structure such that this distance corresponds at least to the thickness of the articulation interface of the first element, - the articulation interface of the first element comprises a through groove parallel to the axis of the orifice arranged along its inner surface, the groove being at least of a shape complementary to that of the lug in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the orifice, in the mechanism in operation, the pivoting stroke of one of the two elements relative to the other does not include any position so that the lug of the articulation interface of the second element is aligned with the groove of the articulation interface of the first element.

[0008] The invention also relates to an assembly producing a locking / unlocking mechanism for a movable part relative to a fixed part, characterized in that the assembly comprises a support structure on which are mounted at least: - a bolt mounted in translation along a first axis and associated with a return device mounted in rotation on the support structure around a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being arranged in respective planes perpendicular to each other, - a part for actuating the pivoting of the return device, characterized in that the articulation of the return device on the support structure and / or the articulation of the return device with the bolt is achieved by an articulation device according to the invention.

[0009] The invention also relates to a method for mounting and implementing an articulation device according to the invention, characterized in that the method comprises: - a step of inserting the rectilinear structure of the articulation interface of the second element through the orifice of the articulation interface of the first element by aligning the lug carried by the rectilinear structure of the second element with the groove of the orifice of the first element, - a step of axial pivoting of the articulation interface of the first element relative to the articulation interface of the second element, so that the lug of the second element is offset relative to the groove of the orifice of the first element, - a step of placing the first element and the second element in an operating stroke position so that the offset of the lug of the second element relative to the groove of the orifice of the first element is maintained.

[0010] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to the preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0011] [Fig. 1] represents a schematic illustration of a first example of a first element comprising an articulation interface produced by a circular cylindrical through-orifice for an articulation device according to the invention.

[0012] [Fig.2] represents a schematic illustration of an example of a second element comprising an articulation interface produced by a circular cylindrical rectilinear structure for an articulation device according to the invention.

[0013] [Fig.3] represents a schematic illustration of a second example of the first element comprising, on the one hand, at the level of a first part, an interface of articulation produced by a circular cylindrical through orifice and, on the other hand, at the level of at least a second part, an articulation interface produced by a circular cylindrical rectilinear structure.

[0014] [Fig.4] represents a schematic illustration of an example of assembly of a first element as detailed in [Fig.3] with a second element for producing an articulation device according to the invention.

[0015] [Fig.5] represents a schematic illustration of an example of cooperation of two elements within the framework of an articulation device according to the invention following their assembly as illustrated by [Fig.4].

[0016] The invention relates to a device for articulation between two elements 1, 2 of a locking / unlocking mechanism of a moving part relative to a fixed part, the device comprising: - a first element 1 comprising an articulation interface 11 produced by a circular cylindrical through orifice 111, - a second element 2 comprising an articulation interface 21 produced in the form of a circular cylindrical rectilinear structure 211 with a diameter in section substantially complementary to that of the orifice 111 of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 and of a length greater than the thickness of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1, so that a first free end 213 of the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2 is inserted in axial pivoting through the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1,

[0017] characterized in that: - the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2 comprises, at the first end 213 of the cylindrical structure 211, a lug 212 positioned at a distance from the second end 214 of the cylindrical structure 211 such that this distance corresponds at least to the thickness of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1, - the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 comprises a through groove 112 parallel to the axis of the orifice 111 arranged along its inner surface, in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the orifice 111, the groove 112 being at least of a shape complementary to that of the lug 212, - in the mechanism in operation, the pivoting stroke of one of the two elements 1, 2 relative to the other does not include any position so that the lug 212 of the articulation interface 11 of the second element 2 is aligned with the groove 112 of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1.

[0018] According to an example of implementation of the articulation device of the invention, the latter is arranged to participate in the locking of an opening panel relative to the opening in a wall for creating storage space in a vehicle interior, such as a storage compartment. Locking the opening panel with the wall involves in particular at least one bolt generally carried by the opening panel and arranged to cooperate with a corresponding latch positioned in the thickness of the wall of the vehicle interior.

[0019] The articulation device according to the invention thus incorporates a locking mechanism which benefits, on the one hand, from the pivoting capacity of one of the elements relative to the other over a wide stroke and, on the other hand, from the more restricted pivoting stroke of the elements relative to each other during their operation. Thus, the mounting of the two elements 1, 2 between them is carried out by inserting the circular cylindrical rectilinear structure 211 of the second element 2 through the orifice 111 of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 according to an angular arrangement of the two elements 1, 2 between them determined by the respective positions of the groove 112 and the lug 212 at the articulation interfaces 11, 21 of each of these elements 1, 2.The angle that the two elements 1, 2 make between them during the assembly insertion operation then corresponds to an angular value that is not included in the amplitude of pivoting of the two elements 1, 2 between them during operation of the locking / unlocking mechanism. During operation of the locking / unlocking mechanism, the pivoting of the two elements 1, 2 between them is carried out according to a stroke whose amplitude is limited by two end angles, so that the angular position of the two elements 1, 2 during the assembly insertion operation is not reached and is not capable of being reached.Thus, in the context of the operation of the locking / unlocking mechanism, the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 is kept positioned in sliding around the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2 between, on the one hand, the lug 212 carried by a first end 213 of the cylindrical structure 211 and the second end 214 of the articulation interface 2. The lug 212 thus provides a surface against which the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 is likely to bear, the lug 212 never being aligned with the groove 112 of the first element 1 in the amplitude of travel of the elements 1, 2 between them during normal operation of the locking / unlocking mechanism.

[0020] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the articulation device of the invention, the respective positions of the groove 112 on the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 and of the lug 212 on the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2 define an angular arrangement of the two elements 1, 2 with respect to each other during insertion such that the angular difference between the insertion angular arrangement and the nearest end angle of the pivoting travel of the two elements 1, 2 during operation of the mechanism is, in absolute value, of at least 5°. This angular difference between, on the one hand, the position of the two elements 1, 2 during the insertion operation and, on the other hand, the angular positions of the two elements 1, 2 in their pivoting travel range during normal operation of the locking / unlocking mechanism provides security for the assembly of the two elements 1, 2. This angular difference thus makes it possible to reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of disassembly of the articulation interfaces 21 of the two elements 1, 2 in the event of abnormally exceeding the pivoting travel range of these elements 1, 2. A greater difference between the angular insertion arrangement and the end angle closest to the pivoting travel of the two elements 1, 2 during operation of the mechanism makes it possible to improve the safety of the mechanism by eliminating the risk of alignment of the groove 112 of the first element 1 with the lug 212 of the second element 2.Also, this angular difference is likely to be at least 10°, preferably at least 30°, or even at least 45° and ideally at least 90°.

[0021] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the articulation device of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the diameter of the orifice 111 of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 is, on the one hand, greater than the diameter of the cylindrical structure 211 of the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2 and, on the other hand, less than the cumulative lengths of the diameter of the cylindrical structure 211 and the thickness of the lug 212 of the second element 2. In the context of this construction variant, the orifice 111 of the first element 1 and the cylindrical structure 211 of the second element 2 being rigid, the pivoting of the interface 11 of the first element 1 around the interface 21 of the second element 2 takes place with a clearance between the two surfaces facing each other.Thus, the sliding of the inner surface of the orifice 111 of the first element 1 against the surface of the cylindrical structure 211 of the second element 2 is facilitated thanks to a more limited actual contact surface between the orifice 111 and the cylindrical structure 211. The effective friction between the first element 1 and the second element 2 and therefore the risk of seizure between the surfaces is thus reduced. Furthermore, the production of an orifice 111 whose diameter is less than the cumulative lengths of the diameter of the cylindrical structure 211 and the thickness of the lug 212 of the second element 2 makes it possible to guarantee the maintenance of the assembly of the two elements 1, 2 since the lug 212 is not positioned opposite the groove 112.

[0022] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the articulation device of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the previously detailed variants, the distance which separates the lug 212 from the second end 214 of the cylindrical structure 211 is substantially identical to the thickness of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 according to a normal parallel to the axis of the orifice 111. A construction according to such an example makes it possible to avoid a translational movement of one element 1 relative to the other 2 along the axis of the articulation, in particular during the pivoting of the two elements 1, 2 between them.

[0023] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the articulation device of the invention capable of being combined with one or other of the variants previously detailed, in a plane in section perpendicular to the axis of the orifice 111 of the first element 1, the groove 112 of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 has a width and / or a depth greater than the width and height dimensions of the lug 212 of the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2.Such a construction thus allows insertion of the cylindrical structure 211 through the orifice 111, so that an angular clearance is likely to exist between the two elements 1, 2. The displacement of the lug 212 along the groove 112 is also likely to be carried out so that the friction of the lug 212 against the different walls of the groove 112 is limited. The insertion of the cylindrical structure 211 through the orifice 111 is thus facilitated thanks, on the one hand, to an angular tolerance in the positioning of the two elements 1, 2 between them and, on the other hand, to an effortless sliding of the lug 212 along the groove 112.

[0024] The invention also relates to an assembly producing a locking / unlocking mechanism for a moving part relative to a fixed part, characterized in that the assembly comprises a support structure 7 on which are mounted at least: - a bolt mounted in translation along a first axis and associated with a return device mounted in rotation on the support structure 7 around a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being arranged in respective planes perpendicular to each other, - a part for actuating the pivoting of the return device, characterized in that the articulation of the return device on the support structure 7 and / or the articulation of the return device with the bolt is achieved by an articulation device according to the invention.

[0025] The assembly of the invention thus integrates one or more articulation devices according to the invention between different elements of the locking / unlocking mechanism intended to pivot between them. In the context of the assembly according to the invention, the return device corresponds to a central structural element of the mechanism which is mounted to pivot about an axis carried by the support structure 7. This return device thus makes it possible to carry out the transformation between, on the one hand, a rotational movement at the level of an actuating part and, on the other hand, a translational movement at one or more bolts. The articulation device according to the invention is thus capable of being integrated at each of the articulation points of the return device with a bolt. As an example of construction, the return device is articulated with the end of the bolt which is opposite the end which interacts with a striker. Similarly, the articulation device according to the invention is also capable of being positioned at the articulation point of the return device on the support structure 7.

[0026] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the assembly of the invention, the assembly comprises a pair of bolts in opposite translations along parallel axes, each bolt cooperating at a different point of the return device produced by an articulation device according to the invention, these points of articulation of the bolt with the return device being positioned on either side of the pivot axis of the return device. Such a construction thus allows the return device to coordinate the translation of the bolts on either side of the return device, so that these bolts interact simultaneously with their respective strike plates.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method for mounting and implementing an articulation device according to the invention, characterized in that the method comprises: - a step of inserting the cylindrical rectilinear structure 211 of the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2 through the orifice 111 of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 by aligning the lug 212 carried by the rectilinear structure 211 of the second element 2 with the groove 111 of the orifice 11 of the first element 1, - a step of axial pivoting of the articulation interface 11 of the first element 1 relative to the articulation interface 21 of the second element 2, so that the lug 212 of the second element 21 is offset relative to the groove 112 of the orifice 111 of the first element 1, - a step of placing the first element 1 and the second element 2 in an operating stroke position so that the offset of the lug 212 of the second element 2 relative to the groove 112 of the orifice 111 of the first element 1 is maintained.

[0028] According to an example relating to an alternative implementation of the method of the invention, the step of axial pivoting of the first element 1 relative to the second element 2 to offset the lug 212 from the axis of the groove 112 of the orifice 111 corresponds to an angular pivoting, in absolute value, of at least 5°. This pivoting step thus allows a displacement of at least one of the two elements 1, 2 relative to the other to reach an angular operating position whose angular amplitude of travel of these elements 1, 2 in pivoting is spaced from the angle positioning the lug 212 in alignment with the axis of the groove 112. This angular pivoting having the purpose of securing the assembly of the two elements 1, 2 by offsetting the axis of the lug 212 from the axis of the groove 112, the securing of the two assembled elements 1, 2 is likely to be accentuated thanks to an angular pivoting of at least 10°, preferably at least 30°, or even at least 45° and ideally at least 90°.

[0029] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Articulation device between two elements (1, 2) of a locking / unlocking mechanism of a moving part relative to a fixed part, the device comprising: - a first element (1) comprising an articulation interface (11) produced by a circular cylindrical through orifice (111), - a second element (2) comprising an articulation interface (21) produced in the form of a circular cylindrical rectilinear structure (211) with a cross-sectional diameter substantially complementary to that of the orifice (111) of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) and of a length greater than the thickness of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1), so that a first free end (213) of the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2) is inserted in axial pivoting through the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1), characterized in that: - the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2) comprises, at the first end (213) of the cylindrical structure (211), a lug (212) positioned at a distance from the second end (214) of the cylindrical structure (211) such that this distance corresponds at least to the thickness of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1), - the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) comprises a through groove (112) parallel to the axis of the orifice (111) arranged along its inner surface, in section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the orifice (111), the groove (112) being at least of a shape complementary to that of the lug (212), - in the mechanism in operation, the pivoting stroke of one of the two elements (1, 2) relative to the other does not include any position so that the lug (212) of the articulation interface (11) of the second element (2) is aligned with the groove (112) of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1).

2. Articulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective positions of the groove (112) on the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) and of the lug (212) on the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2) define an angular arrangement of the two elements (1, 2) with respect to each other during insertion so that the angular difference between the insertion angular arrangement and the nearest end angle of the pivoting stroke of the two elements (1, 2) during operation of the mechanism is, in absolute value, at least 5°.

3. Articulation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the orifice (111) of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) is, on the one hand, greater than the diameter of the cylindrical structure (211) of the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2) and, on the other hand, less than the cumulative lengths of the diameter of the cylindrical structure (211) and the thickness of the lug (212) of the second element (2).

4. Articulation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance which separates the lug (212) from the second end (214) of the cylindrical structure (211) is substantially identical to the thickness of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) along a normal parallel to the axis of the orifice (111).

5. Articulation device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the groove (112) of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) has a width and / or a depth greater than the width and height dimensions of the lug (212) of the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2).

6. Assembly producing a locking / unlocking mechanism for a moving part relative to a fixed part, characterized in that the assembly comprises a support structure (7) on which are mounted at least: - a bolt mounted in translation along a first axis and associated with a return device mounted in rotation on the support structure (7) around a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being arranged in respective planes perpendicular to each other, - a part for actuating the pivoting of the return device, characterized in that the articulation of the return device on the support structure (7) and / or the articulation of the return device with the bolt is carried out by an articulation device according to one of claims 1 to c

7. J. Assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the assembly comprises a pair of bolts in translation along parallel axes, each bolt cooperating at a different point of the return device produced by an articulation device according to one of claims 1 to 5, these points of articulation of the bolt with the return device being positioned on either side of the pivot axis of the return device.

8. Method for mounting and implementing an articulation device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the method comprises: - a step of inserting the cylindrical rectilinear structure (211) of the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2) through the orifice (111) of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) by aligning the lug (212) carried by the rectilinear structure (211) of the second element (2) with the groove (111) of the orifice (11) of the first element (1), - a step of axial pivoting of the articulation interface (11) of the first element (1) relative to the articulation interface (21) of the second element (2), so that the lug (212) of the second element (21) is offset relative to the groove (112) of the orifice of the first element (1),- a step of placing the first element (1) and the second element (2) in an operating stroke position so that the offset of the lug (212) of the second element (2) relative to the groove 112 of the orifice (111) of the first element (1) is maintained.,

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the step of axially pivoting the first element (1) relative to the second element (2) to offset the lug (212) from the axis of the groove (112) of the orifice (111) corresponds to an angular pivoting, in absolute value, of at least 5°.

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