Dummy hinge for sliding vehicle side door.
The false hinge system addresses interference issues by enabling controlled door movement around a virtual axis, enhancing usability and simplifying assembly during vehicle surface treatments.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023010847
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-10-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing temporary hinges for vehicle doors interfere with bodywork elements during surface treatments, requiring complex tools and restricted environments for assembly, limiting their usability.
A false hinge system with a first and second hinge part, incorporating a primary connecting rod and coupling means that allow the door to rotate around a virtual axis, ensuring minimal interference with bodywork elements by controlling the door's movement.
Enables widespread use of false hinges by allowing controlled door movement within confined spaces, facilitating surface treatments without interference, and simplifying assembly processes.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: False hinge for sliding vehicle side door.
[0001] The present invention relates to a means of temporary connection interposed between the chassis of a motor vehicle and a door which, in particular but not exclusively, will be permanently mounted as a sliding door on this vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This means of connection is temporary; it is used mainly during surface treatments of the vehicle body (cataphoresis and / or painting for example); it allows, on the one hand, the door to be kept in its closed state and, on the other hand, the door to be moved away from the chassis of the vehicle.
[0003] This type of component is well known in the automotive bodywork industry. It is called a false hinge or false panel hinge. It allows for the simultaneous treatment of the car body and the door that is temporarily attached to it before it is permanently mounted as a sliding or pivoting mechanism. However, the final assembly can only be carried out after the treatment; a final assembly prior to these operations makes the door (especially a sliding door) an obstacle to their proper execution.
[0004] Generally, the temporary articulation of a door on the vehicle structure is achieved around an axis whose position relative to the bodywork is such that the door does not interfere, during opening and closing, with bodywork elements already in place, such as the front door. To solve this problem, known tools such as spreaders are used, which allow a pivoting movement of the door preceded or followed by a parallel movement of the door towards the outside or inside of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, towards the rear or front, depending on whether the door is opening or closing. This kinematic process, implemented by heavy and complex tools, requires a sufficiently free immediate environment around the vehicle in which the door is "dislodged" before or after its pivoting.However, this type of tool is not always usable.
[0005] It was therefore necessary to abandon the principle of spreaders in order to use false ball-joint hinges, the technique of which is known and interesting in that it allows for rapid unhinging. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One object of the invention is to allow a more widespread use of false hinges. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] For this purpose, the invention relates to a false hinge for temporarily connecting in rotation around a first substantially vertical axis a side opening of a vehicle to a structure of the latter, comprising a first part of the hinge including a first articulation element and a first plate separated from the first articulation element and arranged for its attachment to the structure of the vehicle, and a second part of the hinge including a second articulation element suitable for covering or receiving the first articulation element and a second plate separated from this second articulation element and arranged for its attachment to the opening.The first part of the hinge comprises a primary connecting rod which carries the first articulation element and which is mounted to pivot about a second axis substantially vertical relative to the first part of the hinge, and in that the first part of the hinge and the second part of the hinge have coupling means such that the operation of the opening imposes on the connecting rod, therefore on the first articulation element, a movement about the second axis which leads to a rotation of the opening about a third, virtual, vertical and substantially fixed axis.
[0008] Preferably, the aforementioned coupling means are determined so that the virtual axis of rotation of the opening is substantially coincident with a front edge of the latter.
[0009] Preferably, the aforementioned coupling means are determined so that the virtual axis of rotation of the opening is substantially coincident with a rear edge of the latter.
[0010] In a first embodiment, the coupling means of the first part of the hinge to the second part of the hinge consist of a slot provided in the first part of the hinge and capable of receiving by sliding a finger attached to the second part of the hinge.
[0011] In a second embodiment, the coupling means of the two hinge parts are constituted by a secondary connecting rod articulated to each of them.
[0012] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the description given below of examples of embodiments of the invention. Brief description of the drawings
[0013] Reference will be made to the attached drawings, among which:
[0014] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a false hinge installed between an opening and a vehicle body leg,
[0015] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a diagram illustrating, from a top view, the kinematics of this first embodiment, the false-hinge being in a closed state,
[0016] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a false hinge installed between an opening and a vehicle body leg,
[0017] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a diagram illustrating, from a top view, the kinematics of this second embodiment, the false shoulder being in a closed state,
[0018] [Fig.5] Fig.5 is a perspective view of a variant of the first embodiment in the closed position,
[0019] [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a perspective view of this variant of the first embodiment in the open position,
[0020] [Fig.7] Fig.7 is a perspective view of this variant of the first mode of shot in the open position, from a different viewing angle, in a disassembled state
[0021] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a perspective view of a variant of the second embodiment in the closed position,
[0022] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is a perspective view of this variant of the second mode of realization in open position
[0023] [Fig. 10] The [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of this variant of the second embodiment in the open position, from a different viewing angle, in a disassembled state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] As a preliminary point, it should be noted that a side opening of the vehicle concerned by the invention is supported by two false hinges, one upper and one lower, which employ ball joints in a known manner. These joints allow, among other advantages, for easy removal from their hinges. It is therefore sufficient to lift the opening to separate it from the structure to which it was temporarily hinged. Only one of these false hinges is illustrated in what follows.
[0025] It will also be indicated that the vehicle structure to which the opening is attached is formed by a central post which is covered partly by the rear edge of the front door of the vehicle and partly by the front edge of the sliding side door.
[0026] In figures 1 and 2, the rear edge of the front door 1 of the vehicle, in the closed position, is denoted la. The central pillar of the bodywork is designated 2 while the sliding door and concerned by the false hinges is designated 3 with a front edge 3a.
[0027] The false hinge according to the invention comprises a first hinge portion 4 and a second hinge portion 7. The first hinge portion comprises a first articulation element, here a spherical ball joint 5, and a first plate 6 offset from the ball joint 5 and arranged for its attachment to the structure, here to the central leg 2. The second hinge portion 7 comprises a second articulation element, here a conical housing 8 adapted to fit over the ball joint 5 to define at least one first substantially vertical axis of rotation, and a second plate 9 offset from this housing 8. and arranged for its attachment to the opening. It should be noted that reversing the articulation elements, namely having the ball joint supported by the second part of the hinge and providing the housing in the first part of the hinge, does not fall outside the scope of the invention.
[0028] It can be seen in these figures that the ball joint 5 is not directly supported by the first plate 6 but by a connecting rod 10 which is pivotally mounted by its end 10a opposite the ball joint 5 on the first plate 6 around a second substantially vertical axis of rotation. The first hinge part 4 and the second hinge part 7 are therefore articulated to each other by the ball joint, the position of whose axis of rotation is not controlled. According to the invention, the two hinge parts 4 and 7 have coupling means which impose on the connecting rod 10, and therefore on the ball joint 5, a movement around the second axis of rotation which leads to a rotation of the opening about a third virtually vertical axis that is substantially fixed. In the case of [Fig.[l] These means include a slot 11 formed in the first part of the hinge 4 in a direction here substantially parallel to the plane of the front door 1, in front of the foot 2 and a fixed finger 12, carried by the second part of the hinge 7 and able to slide in the slot 11. It is noted that these coupling means are separated from each other when the door is unhinged by lifting it.
[0029] This combination of means allows, by determining the geometry and dimensions of the different parts which constitute it, to obtain an opening movement of the opening 3 around a virtual vertical axis which can be constrained to be only in a restricted cylindrical space, and preferably in the vicinity of the edge 3a of the opening 3 so that it is possible to control the movement of this front edge and keep it as close as possible to the rear edge la of the door 1 without there being any contact between them during the rotation of the temporarily articulated opening.
[0030] This containment zone is indicated at 13 in [Fig. 2], which is a diagram of the plane in which the movements of the various components of this false hinge take place, and on which the elements already described have been transferred with the same reference numerals. Of course, the construction constraints, the shape, and the kinematics of the moving parts may not allow this containment to be ensured for the entire movement of the opening. For the purposes of the invention, it is sufficient that this containment be ensured for the rotation (for example, 30 degrees) of the opening in the area of proximity to the front door 1. The position of the opening (and the state of the hinge) corresponding to the position and state of [Fig. 1] are shown in thin lines on this diagram. The reference numerals of the elements are marked with an apostrophe (or "prime").
[0031] In this embodiment, the ends of the light 1 form lateral stops, namely a lateral stop at the opening allowing to limit the amplitude The false hinge has an opening mechanism and a lateral stop for closing, limiting the closing range of the false hinge when finger 12 comes to rest against its ends. The lateral stop for closing is particularly useful as it prevents the door from contacting the bodywork.
[0032] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment. They contain elements already described with the same references. In this figure, the ball joint 5 is carried by the end of an arm 14, articulated on the connecting rod 10. The axis 10b of this articulation coincides with the axis of the ball joint 5, so that the latter describes, as in the previous embodiment, a movement around the pivot of the connecting rod 10. The other end of the arm 14 is adapted to receive a fixed finger 12a similar to that described previously, carried by the second part of the hinge 7, which thus allows it to be operated when the opening 3 carrying the second part of the hinge 7 is manipulated. This arm 14 is further articulated to the end of a secondary connecting rod 15, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the first part of the hinge 4. The articulation axis 15a of the arm 14 on the secondary connecting rod 15 is located between the finger 12a and the axis 10b of the ball joint.The geometry of this connecting rod is, as before, calculated or determined according to the desired movement of the front edge 3a of the opening 3 circumscribed within the confinement zone.
[0033] Figure 4 is a diagram similar to that of Figure 2, illustrating the plan view configuration of the false hinge of Figure 3. The elements already described are identified by the same reference numerals. In this diagram, the state of the false hinge corresponding to the state shown in Figure 3 is represented in thin lines. The reference numerals of the elements in this position are marked with an apostrophe or prime sign.
[0034] It should be noted that the presence of the intermediate arm 14 between the hinge 7 and the connecting rods 10 and 15 is due solely to manufacturing considerations. Indeed, the same operating kinematics can be obtained in the absence of this arm, the hinge 7 directly fitting over the ball joint 5, the connecting rod 15 being directly articulated at 15a on the second part of the hinge 7. This is the diagram shown in [Fig. 4].
[0035] In both embodiments, the false hinge is said to be detachable because the housing 8 is devoid of any stop opposing the extraction of the ball joint 5 out of the housing 8. This stop can be a circlip mounted at the entrance of the housing 8 after the ball joint 5 has been inserted to oppose the extraction of the ball joint 5.
[0036] In the variant shown in Figures 5 to 7, relating to the first embodiment, an upper stop 20 is provided on the first part of the hinge 4, under which a portion of the second part of the hinge 7 passes when the false hinge is in its closed state or in a state close to this closed state ([Fig. 5]). The upper stop 20 then prevents upward movement of the second part of the hinge 7 and therefore prevents the false hinge from coming off its hinge. When the false hinge is in In its open state or a state close to the open state ([Fig. 6]), the second part of the hinge 7 escapes the upper stop 20, which no longer opposes upward movement of the second part of the hinge 7 and thus allows the false hinge to be unhinged ([Fig. 7]). The upper stop 20 is here the free, angled end of a finger extending vertically from the first part of the hinge 4. The upper stop 20 therefore prevents the false hinge from being unhinged over part of the travel of the second part of the hinge 7.
[0037] In this variant, lateral stops 21 and 22 are also provided, namely a lateral stop for opening 21 to limit the opening range of the false hinge and a lateral stop for closing to limit the closing range of the false hinge. The lateral stops 21 and 22 are fixed to the first part of the hinge 4 to make contact with the connecting rod 10 in the two extreme positions of the second part of the hinge 7. The lateral stop for closing 22 is particularly advantageous because it prevents the opening sash from contacting the bodywork.
[0038] In the variant shown in Figures 8 to 10, relating to the second embodiment, an upper stop 20 is provided on the first part of the hinge 4, under which a portion of the second part of the hinge 7 passes when the false hinge is in its closed state or in a state close to this closed state ([Fig. 8]). The upper stop 20 then prevents upward movement of the second part of the hinge 7 and therefore prevents the false hinge from being unhinged. When the false hinge is in its open state or in a state close to the open state ([Fig. 9]), the second part of the hinge 7 is no longer subject to the upper stop 20, which no longer prevents upward movement of the second part of the hinge 7 and therefore allows the false hinge to be unhinged ([Fig. 10]). The upper stop 20 is here the free angled end of a finger extending vertically from the first part of the hinge 4.The upper stop 20 therefore prevents the false hinge from being dislodged over part of the stroke of the second part of the hinge 7.
[0039] In this variant, a lateral stop 21 is also provided at the opening to limit the opening range of the false hinge. The lateral stop 21 is fixed to the first part of the hinge 4 to come into contact with the connecting rod 10 in the extreme opening position of the second part of the hinge 7.
[0040] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but applies to any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
[0041] In the case where two false hinges are used (an upper and a lower one), the second part of the hinge can rest on the first part of The hinge is either on one or the other of the two false hinges, or on both false hinges.
[0042] In the case of vehicles with opposing doors (bodywork without a foot), it is possible to arrange the false hinge to fix the false hinge to the rear of the bodywork and have a virtual axis on the side of the rear edge of the opening.
[0043] The invention applies to false hinges that can be removed or not removed.
[0044] The invention is applicable to vehicles with an apparent central foot or to vehicles without a foot (opposing doors and hinge at the rear edge of the rear door).
Claims
Demands
1. A false hinge for temporarily connecting, in rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a side opening (3) of a vehicle to a structure (2) of the latter, comprising a first part of a hinge (4) having a first articulation element (5), namely a ball joint, and a first plate (6) separated from the first articulation element (5) and arranged for its attachment to the structure (2), and a second part of a hinge (7) having a second articulation element (8) adapted to cover or receive the first articulation element (5) and a second plate (9) separated from the second articulation element (8) and arranged for its attachment to the opening (3),characterized in that the first part of the hinge (4) comprises a connecting rod (10) which carries the first articulation element (5) and which is mounted to pivot about an axis substantially vertical with respect to the first plate, and in that the first part of the hinge (4) and the second part of the hinge (7) have coupling means (11, 12, 12a, 15) such that the operation of the opening (3) imposes on the connecting rod, and therefore on the first articulation element (5), a movement about its pivot which leads to a rotation of the opening (3) about a virtually vertical axis substantially fixed (13).
2. False hinge according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means (11, 12) of the first part of the hinge (4) to the second part of the hinge (7) are constituted by a light (11) provided in the first part of the hinge (4) adapted to receive by sliding a finger (12) integral with the second part of the hinge (7).
3. False hinge according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the coupling means of the two hinge parts (4, 7) are constituted by a secondary connecting rod (15) articulated, at its ends, to each of the two hinge parts.
4. False hinge according to claim 1, wherein the first articulation element (5) is carried by a first end of an arm (14) articulated on the connecting rod (10) along an axis (10b) coinciding with an axis of the first articulation element (5) and the arm (14) has a second end adapted to receive a fixed finger (12a) carried by the second part of the hinge (7).
5. False hinge according to claim 4, wherein the arm (14) is articulated at one end of a secondary connecting rod (15) having an opposite end pivotally mounted on the first part of the hinge (4) about an articulation axis (15a) located between the finger (12a) and the axis of the first articulation element.
6. Vehicle comprising a structure and an opening connected to the structure by at least one false hinge according to any one of the preceding claims.
7. Vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the aforementioned coupling means (11, 12, 12a, 15) are determined so that the virtual axis (13) of rotation of the opening (3) is substantially coincident with a front edge (3a) of the latter.
8. Vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the aforementioned coupling means (11, 12, 12a, 15) are determined so that the virtual axis (13) of rotation of the opening (3) is substantially coincident with a rear edge of the latter.