Device for temporarily retaining a bodywork opening

Abstract

The invention provides a device for temporarily retaining a second element (200) relative to a first element (100) comprising a body (12) for fixing the device (10) which carries a stop nose (30) pivotally mounted between an active armed angular position, in which the stop nose (30) is able to cooperate with the first element (100) to retain it relative to the body (12) and a non-active retracted position in which the first element (100) is free, in which the body (12) comprises an element (40) for angular positioning the stop nose (30) and the stop nose (30) comprises at least one other element (36) for angular positioning, these two positioning elements (36, 40) being arranged so that they are able to cooperate to position the stop nose (30) in its non-active angular position and in its active angular position. Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Device for temporarily retaining a bodywork opening Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for temporarily retaining, in particular in the closed position, an opening bodywork element relative to a support element such as a frame.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a device for temporarily closing a door or a movable element, in particular of a motor vehicle, for example a tailgate or a hood, relative to a fixed structural element such as the body or the bodywork of the vehicle. Technical background of the invention

[0003] As is known, in the automotive field, the four main stages of manufacturing a vehicle consist of stamping, assembly of the sheet metal, application of paint and final assembly.

[0004] During the application of the paint, tools, intended to hold the openings in position during painting, are installed on the body of the vehicle, then are removed after painting.

[0005] Among these tools, temporary vehicle door retainers are mounted on the body to hold the doors in position and prevent them from opening during paint application. These devices may be mounted during the sheet metal assembly stage or at the beginning of the paint application stage.

[0006] Such known retaining devices comprise a body or fixing plate intended to be fixed for example on the frame, and an element carried by the body and forming a stop capable of cooperating with a portion of the opening element to retain the latter.

[0007] In the example of a vehicle door, the supporting dormant structural element is the structural door frame and the opening element is the vehicle door. In this case, the temporary retaining device is for example arranged at the level where the strike plate of the door lock will be located, which will be installed later during assembly in the assembly workshop.

[0008] According to a known design, for example from document EP3835523A1, the body carries stop means for retaining the opening element, comprising: - a first fixed stop element which is capable of cooperating with a portion of the opening element when the opening element is in a so-called closed position; and - a flexible stop tab which is capable of cooperating with a portion of the opening element to retain it in its closed position, and which is capable of deforming elastically to release the opening element and allow it to move to a so-called open position.

[0009] During a first stage of closing, the opening element gradually approaches the flexible tongue until it comes into contact with it, which is mounted to be mobile in rotation relative to the body and its pivoting relative to the stop body is ensured by an elastic hinge with a return spring effect.

[0010] Thanks to this elastic hinge, the flexible stop tab can pivot to allow the opening element to pass through.

[0011] The flexible stop tab has low resistance to the opening element.

[0012] Once the opening element passes the flexible tab, this tab automatically returns to its initial state and position, which prevents the opening element from returning, and therefore its untimely opening.

[0013] When the opening leaf is opened, it is moved in a direction opposite to the closing direction until it is again in contact with the flexible stop tab.

[0014] Since the flexible tab can deform elastically, it is sufficient to apply a relatively small adapted force to cause the flexible stop tab to flex again, by elastic deformation, to release the opening element.

[0015] According to such a design of the flexible tab, as soon as the device is mounted, it is permanently in an active functional position, and in particular from the first closing of the opening element, for example for carrying out painting operations.

[0016] However, such operation is not always desirable, and in particular to avoid so-called “grain” phenomena between the flexible tab and one or more painted areas.

[0017] On the other hand, it may prove necessary to be able to subsequently retain the opening element relative to the dormant structural element, and in particular between painting operations and assembly operations; in particular because the transfer actions, particularly when they are robotized, between the workshops and / or stations at which these successive painting and assembly operations are carried out, require a reliable retainer that is resistant to significant forces likely to be applied to the retaining element.

[0018] The invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing an improved temporary retaining device, in particular a temporary closing device, for a movable element relative to a fixed support element which in particular has a high capacity for the stop element to resist forces. Summary of the invention

[0019] The invention proposes a device for temporarily retaining a second bodywork element relative to a first bodywork element, a device which comprises a body allowing the device to be fixed to the second bodywork element and which carries a rigid, controlled-arming stop nose, which is pivotally mounted relative to the body around a pivot axis between: - an armed angular position, called active, in which the stop nose is able to cooperate with the first bodywork element to retain it relative to the body in a predefined relative position; - and a retracted position, called non-active, in which the first bodywork element is free relative to the second bodywork element, device in which the body carries an angular positioning element of the stop nose and the stop nose comprises at least one other angular positioning element, these two positioning elements being arranged so that: — in a first relative position they cooperate to position the stop nose in its non-active angular position; — in a second relative position, they cooperate to position the stop nose in its active angular position.

[0020] Thanks to this design, the combination of a rigid stop nose - that is to say one which does not deform during the various changes in the relative position of the two bodywork elements - and with controlled arming - manually or by means of a robot or equivalent - makes it possible to guarantee total reliability of the temporary closure at the end of a controlled step of arming the stop nose in the active position and thanks to the high rigidity of this component.

[0021] According to other characteristics of the device: - the first positioning element is a locking notch comprising two opposite faces, and the second positioning element is a positioning tab carried by the stop nose and which is capable of cooperating with a first face or a second face of the two opposite faces of the locking notch; - the positioning tab is elastically deformable to allow the locking notch to be crossed in either direction in order to cooperate alternately with the first or second of the two opposite faces of the locking notch; - in the active angular position of the stop nose, a portion of the first element is retained between a projecting portion of the body and a portion facing the stop nose; - the body has a lower fixing face intended to be pressed against the second element when fixing the body to the first element, and the pivot axis of the stop nose is parallel to the plane of this fixing face; - that the stop nose comprises an upper portion for articulating the stop nose on the body which defines the pivot axis of the stop nose, and an opposite lower portion which comprises said positioning tab; - the stop nose has a gripping area for its manipulation in both directions between its two angular positions: non-active and active.; - said gripping zone is a gripping ring arranged between said upper and lower portions of the stop nose; - the gripping ring extends in a plane orthogonal to said pivot axis; - the stop nose comprises a bearing surface which, in the active angular position of the stop nose, extends opposite a complementary bearing surface secured to the body of the device so as to transfer to the body forces applied to the stop nose by the first element; - the stop nose is connected to the body by a thinned articulation portion; - the second element is pivotally mounted relative to the first element of the bodywork, between an open position and a closed position, and, in its active armed position, the stop nose prevents the opening of the second element; - the device is made in one piece by plastic molding; - the first element is a frame, and the second element is an opening mounted pivoting relative to the first element.

[0022] The invention also proposes a method for implementing a device according to the invention for temporarily retaining the opening, characterized in that it consists: i) to temporarily retain the opening, in: - pivot the stop nose to its retracted, non-active position; - close the opening; - pivot the stop nose to its active armed position, ii) then, to release the opening previously temporarily held, to: - pivot the stop nose to its retracted, non-active position; - open the opening. Brief description of the Figures

[0023] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention in which the stop nose is shown in its retracted, non-active position;

[0024] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l], in which the stop nose is shown in its active armed position;

[0025] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a partial perspective view which shows in detail the front longitudinal end portion of the device shown in [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a partial view, in perspective and in section through a plane median vertical, which represents in detail the front longitudinal end part of the device shown in [Fig.2];

[0027] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a partial view showing the implantation of the device according to the invention on a door of a motor vehicle. Detailed Description of Figures

[0028] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, without reference to Earth's gravity and for non-limiting purposes, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations will be adopted according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane.

[0029] By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from rear to front, from left to right, considering figures 1 and 2.

[0030] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0031] Figures 1 and 2 show a device 10 for temporarily retaining an opening 200 relative to a frame 100.

[0032] The opening 200 is for example a door belonging to the bodywork of a motor vehicle of which a plate-shaped portion is shown which comprises an upper face 204 and a lower face 202.

[0033] The frame 100 is for example a structural bodywork element of which a wall portion is shown which comprises an inner face 102 and an outer face 104.

[0034] The opening 200 is mounted to move relative to the frame 100, here pivoting around a transverse articulation axis not shown.

[0035] Without limitation, the device 10 here has a general symmetry of design with respect to a median vertical and longitudinal plane corresponding to the section plane of [Fig.4],

[0036] The device 10 comprises a body 12 whose rear longitudinal part is designed to allow the mounting and fixing of the device 10 on the opening 200, and whose front longitudinal part is designed to allow the opening 200 to be temporarily retained and carries a stop nose 30 which is capable of cooperating with the opening to retain it relative to the body 12 in a predefined relative position corresponding here to a temporary closing position of the opening.

[0037] The body 12 comprises a substantially flat lower fixing face 14 intended to be pressed against a portion opposite the upper face 204 of the opening 200.

[0038] The front longitudinal part of the body 12 comprises a lower longitudinal and horizontal branch 16 with a front free end 18, and an upper bent arm 20.

[0039] The upper bent arm 20 comprises a vertical branch 22 which extends above the lower branch 16 and which is extended by an upper longitudinal branch 24 with a free front end 26.

[0040] The lower branch 16 and the upper arm 20 partially delimit a housing 28 which is open longitudinally towards the front and vertically towards the top.

[0041] It is in the housing 28 that the stop nose 30 is arranged.

[0042] Without limitation, the stop nose 30 here comprises a rigid body 32 in the general shape of a ring whose thickness, in the transverse direction T, is less than the average transverse width of the front longitudinal part of the body 12.

[0043] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.l], in its upper part, the body 32 of the stop nose 30 comprises an upper portion 34 for articulation of the body 32 - and therefore of the stop nose 30 - relative to the upper branch 24 around a transverse axis "A" of articulation.

[0044] In this non-limiting example of embodiment, the body 32 and the entire stop nose 30 are made from a single piece by molding with the body 12 of the device 10.

[0045] The upper articulation portion 34 is a thinned articulation portion which connects the body 32 to the front free end 26 of the upper longitudinal branch 24 and which allows pivoting in the two directions S1 and S2 indicated in the figures.

[0046] At its lower part, the body 32 of the stop nose 30 carries a tab 36 for angular positioning of the stop nose 30 in one or other of its two functional positions, active and non-active.

[0047] The positioning tab 36 extends in a cantilever manner and is elastically deformable.

[0048] The positioning tab 36 here extends generally tangentially relative to the annular body 32, towards the inside of the housing 28 in the direction of the vertical branch 22 and substantially parallel to the horizontal upper face 17 of the lower branch 16, when the stop nose 30 is in its non-active retracted angular position of [Fig. 1].

[0049] In the active armed angular position of the stop nose 30 of [Fig.2], the positioning tab 36 extends in the direction of the horizontal upper face 17 of the lower branch 16 relative to which it is inclined.

[0050] The positioning tab 36 has a transverse width greater than that of the annular body 32.

[0051] The positioning tab 36 is arranged and dimensioned so as to cooperate with a notch 40, for locking in angular position the stop nose 30, which is carried by the lower branch 16.

[0052] The locking notch 40 is formed as a projection above the upper face 17 and is delimited longitudinally by a front end face 42 and by a rear end face 44.

[0053] The two opposite longitudinal end faces 42, 44 of the locking notch 40 are connected by an upper connecting face 43 facilitating the crossing, from front to rear, by the positioning tab 36.

[0054] The elastically deformable positioning tab 36 allows the locking notch 40 to be crossed in either direction in order to cooperate alternately with the rear end face 44 or the front end face 42 of the locking notch 40.

[0055] The free end 38 of the positioning tab is profiled in a rounded convex manner to cooperate with the locking notch 40.

[0056] The tab 36 essentially provides a function of angular positioning of the stop nose 30 in one or other of its two functional positions and, in particular when the stop nose 30 is in the armed position and retains the opening 200, it does not provide a function of taking up the forces possibly applied by the frame 100 to the stop nose 30 and / or to the body 12.

[0057] To ensure its function as a stop capable of cooperating with the facing portion of the frame 100, the stop nose 30 comprises a rigid stop tab 50 which is delimited by a generally flat lower stop face 52 which here extends tangentially in the extension of the lower face 37 of the positioning tab 36.

[0058] In the active armed angular position of the stop nose 30, the lower stop face 52 is inclined and forms an acute angle of approximately forty-five degrees of angle relative to the horizontal.

[0059] Like the positioning tab 36 and to give it great rigidity, the stop tab 50 has a transverse width greater than that of the annular body 32.

[0060] It is also connected to the annular body 32 by a flat reinforcing core 54 which extends in a median vertical plane.

[0061] Beyond its free end 55, the lower stop tab 50 of the stop nose 30 is extended by a support tab 56 of the stop nose 30 making it possible to ensure the absorption of forces possibly applied to the stop nose 30 by the frame 100.

[0062] The support tab 56 here extends substantially at a right angle to the stop tab and to the positioning tab 36.

[0063] In the retracted angular position ([Fig. 1]) of the stop nose 30, the support tab 56 extends substantially vertically, releasing a free space “E” for the generally vertical movements of the portion of the frame 100 relative to the device 10, and in particular relative to its front longitudinal end portion 16-20.

[0064] In the active armed angular position of the stop nose 30 determined by the positioning tab 36 and as can be seen in [Fig.2], the stop nose 30 and more particularly its lower stop tab 52 “interferes” with the space E and extends opposite the portion of the frame 100 in order to retain the latter between the stop nose and the portion opposite the lower branch 16 of the body 12.

[0065] Without limitation, the free front end 18 of the lower branch 36 comprises a projecting portion 19 which is in the form of a vertical finger which extends upwards above the upper face 17.

[0066] Thus, in particular with a view to limiting the value of the clearance “J” of the frame when it is held in the temporary closed position, the portion 100 of the frame is held between the lower stop face 52 of the stop nose 30 and the upper free end of the finger 19 ([Fig.2]).

[0067] The upper free end 58 of the support tab 56 comprises a support surface 60.

[0068] In the active armed position of the stop nose 30, the bearing surface extends opposite a complementary bearing surface 62 formed at the end 26 of the upper branch 24 of the bent arm 22.

[0069] The two bearing surfaces are here substantially adjacent and their function is to allow the absorption of forces which are possibly applied to the stop nose 30 by the portion of the frame 100.

[0070] The operation and implementation of the device 10 are as follows.

[0071] After mounting the device 10 on the opening 200, to allow the opening to close, the stop nose 30 must occupy its retracted position of [Fig.l]. Indeed, in the case where the stop nose 30 is in its armed position of [Fig.2], when attempting to close the opening 200, the stop nose 30 would come into abutment against the face 104 of the portion of the frame 100, preventing the opening from being placed in the closed position (See the position of the portion 100 illustrated in dotted lines in [Fig.2]).

[0072] Thus, after mounting the device 10 on the opening 200, if necessary, a first step consists of pivoting the stop nose in the direction SI to bring it into its retracted position of [Fig.l].

[0073] Then, the opening 200 can be closed by moving it according to the arrow F2 until the face 104 is adjacent to the free end of the finger 19.

[0074] In this position, by maintaining it, it is then possible to pivot the stop nose 30 in the direction S2 to bring it into its active armed position of [Fig.2].

[0075] Thanks to this “arming” maneuver of the stop nose 30, the portion of the opening 100 is “captive” of the device 10 by being retained between the finger 19 and the stop tab 50-52.

[0076] The invention is not limited to the design of the body of the stop nose in the form of a circular ring. The ring or equivalent part may have any profile allowing gripping and giving the stop nose its rigidity.

[0077] The invention has been described according to an example in which the device 10 is fixed to an opening and is capable of cooperating with a portion of a frame.

[0078] Symmetrically, the invention finds application by fixing the device 10 on a frame to cooperate with a portion of an opening.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (10) for temporarily retaining a second element (200), in particular of bodywork, relative to a first element (100), in particular of bodywork, device (10) which comprises a body (12) allowing the fixing of the device (10) on the second element (200) and which carries a stop nose (30), rigid and with controlled arming, which is pivotally mounted relative to the body (12) around a pivot axis (A) between: - an armed angular position, called active, in which the stop nose (30) is able to cooperate with the first element (100) to retain it relative to the body (12) in a predefined relative position;- and a retracted position, called non-active, in which the first element (100) is free relative to the second element (200), in which the body (12) carries an element (40) for angular positioning of the stop nose (30) and the stop nose (30) comprises at least one other element (36) for angular positioning, these two positioning elements (36, 40) being arranged so that: — in a first relative position they cooperate to position the stop nose (30) in its non-active angular position; — in a second relative position, they cooperate to position the stop nose (30) in its active angular position.;

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first positioning element is a locking notch (40) comprising two opposite faces (42, 44), and the second positioning element is a positioning tab (36) carried by the stop nose (30) and which is capable of cooperating with a first face (42) or a second (44) face of the two opposite faces (42, 44) of the locking notch (40).

3. Device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning tab (36) is elastically deformable to allow the locking notch (40) to be crossed in one or the other direction in order to cooperate alternately with the first (42) or the second (44) of the two opposite faces of the locking notch (40).

4. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the active angular position of the stop nose (30), a portion of the first element (100) is retained between a portion (19) projecting from the body (12) and a portion (50, 52) opposite the stop nose (30).

5. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (12) comprises a lower fixing face (14) intended to be pressed against the second element (200) when fixing the body (12) to the first element, and in that the pivot axis (A) of the stop nose (30) is parallel to the plane of this fixing face (14).

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stop nose (30) comprises an upper portion (34) for articulation of the stop nose (30) on the body (12) which defines the axis (A) of pivoting of the stop nose (30), and an opposite lower portion which comprises said positioning tab (36).

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop nose (30) comprises a gripping zone for its manipulation in both directions (SI, S2) between its two inactive and active angular positions.

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said gripping zone is a gripping ring (32) arranged between said upper and lower portions of the stop nose (30).

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the gripping ring (32) extends in a plane orthogonal to said pivot axis (A).

10. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop nose (30) comprises a bearing surface (60) which, in the active angular position of the stop nose (30), extends opposite a complementary bearing surface (62) integral with the body (12) of the device (10) so as to transfer to the body (12) forces applied to the stop nose (30) by the first element (100).

11. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop nose (30) is connected to the body (12) by a thinned articulation portion (34).

12. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element (200) is pivotally mounted relative to the first element (100) of the bodywork, between an open position and a closed position, and in that, in its active armed position, the stop nose (30) prevents the opening of the second element (200).

13. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made in a single piece by molding in plastic material.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first element (100) is a frame, and in that the second element (200) is an opening element mounted to pivot relative to the first element (100).

15. Method for implementing a device (10) according to claim 14, characterized in that it consists: i) to temporarily retain the opening (200), in: - pivoting (SI) the stop nose (30) to its retracted, non-active position; - closing (F2) the opening (200); - pivoting (S2) the stop nose (30) to its active armed position, ii) then, to release the opening (200) previously temporarily retained, in: - pivoting (S2) the stop nose (30) to its retracted, non-active position; - opening (F1) the opening 200.

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