CONTROL FOR OPENING A MOTOR VEHICLE OPENING EQUIPPED WITH A SAFETY LOCK

Abstract

Control for opening a motor vehicle opening, comprising a movable handle actuated to unlock a lock of the opening, and an inertial mass (28A) which, under the effect of an acceleration of the control in the transverse direction of the vehicle, moves against a return spring (32), taking a position beyond an acceleration threshold for locking the handle, this control having a second inertial mass (28B) equipped with a second return spring (32), having an operation independent of the first inertial mass (28A), which takes a position beyond a second acceleration threshold for locking the handle. Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: CONTROL FOR OPENING A MOTOR VEHICLE OPENING EQUIPPED WITH A SAFETY LOCK

[0001] The present invention relates to a control for opening a motor vehicle opening panel equipped with a safety lock, as well as a motor vehicle comprising such a control.

[0002] Motor vehicles are subjected to standardized impact tests representing possible accidents, including side impacts which must not cause the side doors to open in order to maintain the protection of the vehicle's passengers. In particular, a significant side impact towards the interior of the vehicle applies a strong transverse acceleration to it which can cause the door handle to be lifted outwards with its inertia, which causes the lock to unlock and the door to open.

[0003] To avoid these problems, a known type of opening control for openings arranged on the sides of motor vehicles, presented in particular by document FR-A1-3113079, comprises a handle held at one end by a first pivot. An inertial mass mounted on a second pivot parallel to the first, tilts under the effect of a strong lateral acceleration of the vehicle during a significant impact in order, beyond a level of acceleration giving an inertial force compensating for the force delivered by a return spring of this mass, to block the handle and keep the lock locked.

[0004] In a first pivoting range limited by a first acceleration level the inertial mass remains in a reversible position, after the impact the handle will unlock.

[0005] In a following pivoting range for an acceleration exceeding the first level, during a greater impact, the inertial mass tilts more strongly, passing into an irreversible position which keeps the handle blocked and the lock locked after the impact. In this way, during a serious accident, whatever the different accelerations undergone by the vehicle, the door then remains blocked.

[0006] However, certain regulations impose a system for blocking the openings which remains reversible. In particular, in the case of an accident resulting in impacts with lateral accelerations in both directions, an irreversible blocking of the doors on both sides of the vehicle could apply, subsequently preventing rapid access to the interior of the vehicle.

[0007] Furthermore, impacts on vehicles during accidents can cause complex dynamic phenomena on the chain of mechanical components of the door opening control, including in particular successive variations in acceleration in different directions, vibration phenomena of the components, or rebounds with the elasticity of these components.

[0008] We can then obtain, despite a strong lateral acceleration exceeding the level of acceleration theoretically necessary to actuate the inertial mass, problems of blocking of the handle which does not work. In this case the handle can lift by unlocking the lock with major risks coming from the opening of the door during the accident.

[0009] Furthermore, depending on the positioning of the opening control on the vehicle, for example on a front or rear door, and depending on the characteristics of the vehicle, in particular its mass, it is necessary to provide an adaptation of the opening controls with specific parameters to ensure the best possible operation of the safety lock. Adaptations of the controls result in a manufacturer of a range of vehicles having a variety of references, posing problems of particular designs, different productions and management of this plurality which increase quality risks and add costs.

[0010] The present invention aims in particular to avoid these problems of the prior art.

[0011] For this purpose, it proposes a control for opening a vehicle opening panel. vehicle, comprising a movable handle actuated to unlock a lock of the opening, and an inertial mass which, under the effect of an acceleration of the control in the transverse direction of the vehicle, moves against a return spring, taking up a position beyond an acceleration threshold for locking the handle, this control being remarkable in that it has a second inertial mass equipped with a second return spring, having an operation independent of the first inertial mass, which takes up a position beyond a second acceleration threshold for locking the handle.

[0012] An advantage of this opening control is that, in a simple manner, by providing a second inertial mass having an operation independent of the first mass, during the impact in the case where significant irregularities in the different accelerations have prevented the operation of the first mass, the second inertial mass, having characteristics which may be different, makes it possible in a more secure manner to still obtain the locking of this handle.

[0013] Furthermore, by taking for the second inertial mass characteristics adapted to give a second acceleration threshold which is offset from the first, an opening control is obtained which, thanks to the response of at least one or the other of the inertial masses, can respond to varied positions on the vehicle or to different characteristics of the vehicles. The masses of the vehicles in particular will provide specific acceleration responses for the same shock. This provides greater standardization of opening controls across a range of vehicles, which facilitates design, improves reliability and reduces costs.

[0014] The opening control according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which may be combined with each other.

[0015] Advantageously, the two inertial masses are mounted on pivots.

[0016] In this case, advantageously the pivots of the two inertial masses are arranged along the same axis of rotation.

[0017] Advantageously, the two inertial masses have identical shapes.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the two inertial masses have different angular positions at rest around the axis of rotation.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the two inertial masses have different mass values.

[0020] In this case, one of the two inertial masses may comprise a cavity which is removed relative to the other inertial mass.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the two return springs have different stiffness characteristics.

[0022] Advantageously, the two acceleration thresholds giving the locking positions of the handle of the two inertial masses have different values.

[0023] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped with side doors comprising an opening control comprising any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0024] The invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will appear more clearly on reading the description below given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig-1] is a top view of a vehicle side door opening control according to the prior art;

[0026] [Fig.2] is a view of this control with the handle in the open position;

[0027] [Fig.3] is a view of this control during a side impact resulting in a handle lock;

[0028] [Fig.4] is a partial perspective view of an opening control according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.5] is a top view of this opening control;

[0030] [Fig.6] is a detailed view of this opening control according to a first variant;

[0031] [Fig.7] is a detailed view of this opening control according to a second variant; and

[0032] [Fig.8] is a detailed view of this opening control according to a third variant.

[0033] Throughout the document the transverse direction presents a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, the external direction EXT being turned towards the outside of this vehicle, the front direction AV is taken by convention, independently of the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0034] [Fig.l] shows a control for opening a side door of a motor vehicle, comprising an elongated handle 2 having at its front end a first vertical pivot 4, and at its rear end an arm 6 facing towards the inside of the vehicle, which ends in a lug 8 arranged on the top. The front pivot 4 and the rear arm 6 fit into the outer sheet of the door 10.

[0035] A rocker 12 mounted on a second vertical pivot 14, has a part behind this pivot 16 ending in a fork 18 arranged in a horizontal plane receiving the lug of the handle 8, and a front part 20 having at its end a notch facing forward 22. The rocker 12 has around its pivot 14 in the longitudinal plane a balancing of its masses.

[0036] A blocker 24 mounted on a third vertical pivot 26, comprises an inertial mass 28 arranged in front of this pivot, and a blocking finger 30 which is turned outwards forming a right angle with this mass. A return spring 32 arranged around the third pivot 26, bears on a fixed element of the door to constantly apply a return torque to the blocker 24 which tends to keep the inertial mass 28 inwards resting on a rest stop, the blocking finger 30 remaining turned outwards.

[0037] [Fig.2] shows normal operation of the control device. A operator pulls on the handle 2, the rear lug 8 of this handle applying an outward pull on the rear part of the rocker 12 which transmits an unlocking movement of the lock.

[0038] [Fig.3] shows a significant transverse impact C on the vehicle applied during a standardized test, which gives a strong transverse acceleration of the control device towards the inside. The rocker 12 having in this direction a balance of its masses with respect to the pivot 14, does not undergo any inertial torque. The front inertial mass 28 of the blocker 24 undergoes an outwardly directed force G depending on the distribution of this mass with respect to its pivot 26 and the acceleration, which moves the blocking finger 30 towards the rear against the return spring 32.

[0039] From an acceleration threshold depending on the intensity of the transverse impact on the vehicle, the locking finger 30 compressing the return spring 32 moves sufficiently to enter the front notch 22 of the rocker 12, preventing an inward pivoting of its front part 20.

[0040] The rocker 12 remaining in position holds the rear lug 8 of the handle 2, and does not unlock the lock. The door is kept closed as long as the transverse acceleration remains above the threshold by preventing a return of the inertial mass 28 by its return spring 32.

[0041] Figures 4 and 5 show a control device according to the invention comprising successively on the same pivot axis 26 two blockers 24A, 24B, each comprising their return spring 32, and their blocking finger 30 arranged opposite a notch 22 of the rocker 12 so as to each have an operation independent of the other being able to block its notch. During an impact, depending on the operating conditions one or the other of the blockers 24, or both, can act to lock the lock.

[0042] The two blockers 24A, 24B, similar so as to facilitate mass production of close components, are arranged on the same axis 26 next to each other to occupy a reduced space available on the opening control.

[0043] [Fig.6] shows the two blockers 24A, 24B which at rest have different angular positions, the first blocker 24A having a greater inclination a with its inertial mass 28 shifted inwards. For this first blocker 24A, a different reaction to transverse acceleration is obtained, depending on its starting position, giving it a second acceleration threshold for its blocking position which differs from the other blocker 24B.

[0044] [Fig.7] shows two blockers 24 with the same positions and springs of reminder 32 identical, but having slightly different shapes. The first blocker 24A has a cavity 40 formed at the end of its inertia mass 28 which reduces the moment of inertia of this mass.

[0045] For the first blocker 24A, a pivoting operation is obtained requiring a stronger transverse acceleration because of its reduced inertial mass 28 which must oppose the same restoring force of the spring 32, the acceleration threshold is shifted.

[0046] [Fig.8] shows two identical blockers 24 but return springs 32 having different loads, the load of the spring 32B of the second blocker 24B being greater.

[0047] For the second blocker 24B, a pivoting action is obtained which will require a stronger transverse acceleration in order to obtain a higher tilting torque which balances the higher load of the second return spring 32, the acceleration threshold is also shifted.

[0048] Advantageously, the acceleration threshold causing a switching of the blockers 24, generally between 5 and 50g, includes an offset between these two blockers so that each can respond to slightly different operating conditions. For example, a threshold of 20g can be taken for one and 25g for the other.

[0049] During accidents which may present more complex situations than those of standardized side impact tests, it is possible to obtain sequences of successive accelerations which are very varied in their directions and intensities, including irregularities which it is not possible to calculate or simulate entirely in advance. The presence of two blockers 24 operating independently, each capable of presenting a particular response, provides significant assurance for obtaining at least one blocking of the lock.

[0050] Furthermore, the two blockers 24 having slightly different characteristics make it possible to cover in particular a more varied range of use, including in particular positioning on the vehicle for the front or rear doors, or use on a range of vehicles including models having different masses.

Claims

Claims

1. Control for opening a motor vehicle opening, comprising a movable handle (2) actuated to unlock a lock of the opening, and an inertial mass (28A) which, under the effect of an acceleration of the control in the transverse direction of the vehicle, moves against a return spring (32), taking a position beyond an acceleration threshold for locking the handle (2), characterized in that it has a second inertial mass (28B) equipped with a second return spring (32), having an operation independent of the first inertial mass (28A), which takes a position beyond a second acceleration threshold for locking the handle (2).

2. Opening control according to claim 1, characterized in that the two inertia masses (28A, 28B) are mounted on pivots (26).

3. Opening control according to claim 2, characterized in that the pivots (26) of the two inertia masses (28A, 28B) are arranged along the same axis of rotation.

4. Opening control according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two inertia masses (28A, 28B) have identical shapes.

5. Opening control according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the two inertial masses (28A, 28B) have different angular positions at rest around the axis of rotation.

6. Opening control according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two inertial masses (28A, 28B) have different mass values.

7. Opening control according to claim 2 or 3, and claim 6, characterized in that one of the two inertia masses (28A) comprises a cavity (40) which is withdrawn relative to the other inertia mass (28B).

8. Opening control according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two return springs (32) have different stiffness characteristics.

9. Opening control according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two acceleration thresholds giving the locking positions of the handle (2) of the two inertial masses (28, 28B) have different values.

10. Motor vehicle equipped with side doors, characterized in that each side door comprises an opening control according to any one of the preceding claims.

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